On July 25, at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Layne Riggs showcased exceptional skill and control, leading 160 of the 200 laps to secure his second victory of the 2025 season. Riggs’ No. 34 truck maintained near-perfect performance throughout the event, making it difficult for competitors to challenge the second-year driver from North Carolina.
While Corey Heim has been the dominant leader throughout much of the season, often pulling away from the pack with ease, Riggs demonstrated the same level of command and consistency on this night, taking control of the race and winning both stages decisively.
Highlighting Top Performers at IRP
Riggs’ dominance was clear as he won Stage 1 and Stage 2, while also leading the most laps in the race. Corey Heim, who started on pole and clocked the fastest lap of 23.338 seconds, finished third but remains the regular season champion with a secure points lead heading into the playoffs. Corey Day made a notable move, starting from 16th place and finishing second, marking the biggest advancement of the event.
Playoff Prospects and Current Standings
Corey Heim’s clinching of the regular season title awards him fifteen bonus points as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series moves toward the playoffs. With two races remaining this season, three playoff spots remain available through points standings. Grant Enfinger currently holds the highest points position without a win, maintaining a slim 16-point margin over Kaden Honeycutt. Ty Majeski is just above the cutoff line, possessing a 61-point advantage over teammate Jake Garcia. As the point gap equates to a full race’s worth, the playoff field appears nearly finalized unless a new winner emerges.
Rookie Performances and Debuts at IRP
The race also featured notable rookie performances, with Butterbean once again impressing on the short tracks. Brenden Queen made his first Truck Series start of 2025 behind the wheel of the No. 07 for Spire Motorsports, securing a 16th-place finish and earning Rookie of the Race honors. Other rookies included Brent Crews (23rd), Jayson Alexander (30th), Cody Dennison (34th), Toni Breidinger* (26th), Gio Ruggiero* (25th), AJ Waller (32nd), Dawson Sutton* (19th), Frankie Muniz* (27th), Greg Van Alst (28th), Boston Oliver (33rd), Andres Perez* (22nd), and Connor Mosack* (17th). Those marked with an asterisk denote contenders for Rookie of the Year.
Driver Insights Following Race Day
Corey Day reflected on his career-best second-place finish after starting deep in the field. Heim, having secured the regular season championship, shared his mindset about the playoff run, while Grant Enfinger and Ty Majeski offered their perspectives on their strong performances, finishing fourth and fifth respectively. Ross Chastain, who came home ninth, and Brenden Queen recapped their eventful nights in Brownsburg. Amid challenges, Andres Perez confirmed his continuation in the No. 77 truck despite speculation of losing his ride. Stewart Friesen spoke about his third-place finish prior to being disqualified after the race.
Special Tribute Through Paint Scheme at IRP
One of the most striking visuals during the race was Tanner Gray’s No. 15 truck, which departed from its usual black and white Dead On Tools theme or shades of blue with Place of Hope sponsorship. This event featured a unique design honoring Larry Pettet, a longstanding supporter of TRICON Garage who is battling cancer.
“Some things are bigger than racing. As our friend Larry Pettet continues his battle with cancer, @tannergray5 and the No. 15 team had a special surprise in store for him at IRP ❤️ pic.twitter.com/iwt2bu7yiR” — TRICON
Pettet, owner of Advanced Business Communications, first partnered with the team when his name adorned Gray’s truck as a cancer hero at Martinsville Speedway in 2021. TRICON Garage expanded this tribute by wrapping the entire truck with the bright colors and branding of his business at his home track of Indianapolis Raceway Park. This meaningful gesture stood out not only as a visually appealing paint scheme but also as a powerful message of support and resilience.
Looking Ahead to Watkins Glen and the Finger Lakes
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will take a brief pause before heading to Watkins Glen International for the United Rentals 176 on August 8. This marks only the second time since 2000 that the series returns to the Finger Lakes region, and the first visit since 2021. The Glen event will be part of a Friday doubleheader alongside the ARCA Menards Series. Austin Hill won the last race held there in 2021, which was shortened due to rain.
Television coverage of the United Rentals 176 starts at approximately 5 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1, with the NASCAR Racing Network providing exclusive radio broadcasts throughout the season.