Layne Riggs Plays Spoiler, Wins First Career Race at Milwaukee

Layne Riggs celebrating in Victory Lane after scoring his first career win at The Milwaukee Mile. (Photo: Mike Moore | The Podium Finish)

WEST ALLIS, Wi. — Heading into the opening race of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoffs, all eyes were on the 10 drivers competing for the championship.

Rookie Layne Riggs decided that all eyes were going to point toward him. With 53 laps to go, Riggs took the lead away from Ty Majeski and went on to win the LiUNA! 175.

“I don’t even know how to describe it,” Riggs said post-race. “It’s awesome.”

It had been a tough year for Riggs up to this point, missing the playoffs in a Front Row Motorsports truck that won the championship just two seasons ago. But the last three races have seen Riggs gain some momentum, finishing inside the top five in all of them including the win at Milwaukee.

Layne Riggs on track racing during the LiUNA 175 at The Milwaukee Mile. (Photo: Mike Moore | The Podium Finish)

“We’ve had a terrible year. It’s been an awful year, but I’ve learned so much though in my rookie season,” said Riggs. “After the start (of the season), I thought there’s no way we’re going to get a win, we’ll do the best we can and just learn for next year. But I knew in practice this thing (truck) was awesome.”

Riggs even celebrated so hard on the front straightway that he dislocated his shoulder and needed assistance from his No. 38 team.

“Dislocated my shoulder I was celebrating so hard, but it was worth it.”

Following Riggs in the finishing order were eight of the 10 playoff drivers, with only Grant Enfinger and Rajah Caruth finishing outside of the top 10.

Layne Riggs and his No. 38 team celebrating in Victory Lane after winning the LiUNA! 175. (Photo: Mike Moore | The Podium Finish)

Christian Eckes led a race-high 71 laps and finds himself at the top of the playoff standings after race one, but feels that it was a missed opportunity for the No. 19 team.

“I was leading on the bottom and it shot up the race track and just couldn’t recover, I was way too tight,” Eckes said. “Proud of everybody but a pretty big missed opportunity.”

The next race of the Round of 10 will take place on Thursday, Sept. 19 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Playoff Standings (Race 1/3 in the Round of 10)

1. Christian Eckes (+60)
2. Ty Majeski (+45)
3. Corey Heim (+41)
4. Nick Sanchez (+34)
5. Taylor Gray (+13)
6. Tyler Ankrum (+13)
7. Daniel Dye (+9)
8. Grant Enfinger (+2)
9. Ben Rhodes (-2)
10. Rajah Caruth (-4)

Stage 1 Top 10 Results

1. Ty Dillon
2. Jake Garica
3. Christian Eckes
4. Ty Majeksi
5. Nick Sanchez
6. Layne Riggs
7. Daniel Dye
8. Tanner Gray
9. Taylor Gray
10. Tyler Ankrum

Stage 2 Top 10 Results

1. Christian Eckes
2. Ty Majeski
3. Layne Riggs
4. Nick Sanchez
5. Taylor Gray
6. Daniel Dye
7. Tyler Ankrum
8. Matt Crafton
9. Kaden Honeycutt
10. Grant Enfinger

LiUNA! 175 at The Milwaukee Mile Finishing Results