Layne Riggs wins Pocono NASCAR Truck shocker after issues take out leaders

With 3.6 seconds over runner-up finisher Tanner Gray, Front Row Motorsports’ Layne Riggs piloted the No. 34 Ford to victory at Pocono Raceway. He became the first Ford driver to win a Truck race at Pocono since Ryan Blaney did it in 2013. Friday’s triumph is Riggs’ third career win, but his first of the 2025 season.

“That’s just a testament to this team,” said Riggs. “This thing was bad fast, especially that last run. I really hate that the #11 [Heim] fell out. Not sure what the #7 [Hocevar] was doing on the restart there, but I made sure to take advantage of it. Not really sure why we slowed down 30mph in the restart zone but hey, I’m a happy man right now … I’m on cloud nine. This is not one I had circled. Like I said,  last year we wrecked in practice, didn’t qualify, and ran around dead last all day. Today, we were the best. That’s amazing.”

Misfortune for Heim and Hocevar

Carson Hocevar

Photo by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images

But Riggs was not the dominant driver, only winning Stage 1 because Corey Heim and Carson Hocevar (who were both running ahead of him) chose to short-pit. Heim went on to win the second stage and it looked like no one was going to be able to deny him victory on Friday.

With 32 laps to go, things got messy in what was otherwise a relatively clean race. A major incident in the Tunnel Turn took out Grant Enfinger and Ben Rhodes as they got together, collecting Tyler Ankrum, Dawson Sutton, Conner Jones, and Clayton Green in a multi-truck accident.

Heim remained in control over Riggs and Hocevar, but it didn’t take long for the next incident as Jake Garcia wrecked on the restart. Somehow, no other trucks were involved despite Garcia spinning in the middle of the pack. At the time of yellow, Riggs was side-by-side with Heim for the top spot, but Heim remained in control.

This was the pivotal moment of the race, as Heim reported an issue moments before leading the field to a restart. It quickly became clear that he had a flat tire, forcing him to pull out of line.

This vaulted Hocevar onto the front row for the restart, but it was, in fact, Riggs who was the control truck.

Despite this, Hocevar lurched ahead and took the lead with ease before the field even made it to Turn 1. NASCAR quickly reviewed the restart, penalizing Hocevar for going early. He had to serve a drive-through penalty, clearing the way for Riggs.

Gray ended up second, Kaden Honeycutt third, Brandon Jones fourth, and Daniel Hemric fifth. Connor Mosack, Chandler Smith, Stewart Friesen, Ty Majeski, and Rajah Caruth filled out the remainder of the top ten.

Hocevar fought back to finish 13th while Heim ended up 24th in a disappointing showing for both drivers. Heim ended up leading 48 of 80 laps before his late-race tire issue. Also of note, actor-turned-racer Frankie Muniz earned his third top 20 of the year, placing 19th.

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