For 22-year-old Layne Riggs, racing has at all times been greater than his pastime or occupation.
Because the son of former NASCAR Cup Sequence driver Scott Riggs, going to the race observe has been ingrained within the younger driver since start, and this 12 months, Layne lastly acquired his shot — a full-time journey within the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence, driving the No. 38 Ford F-150 for Entrance Row Motorsports.
Years of laborious work, dedication and perseverance all paid off for the youthful Riggs on Aug. 25, the place he received his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence race on the Milwaukee Mile in dominating vogue.
“It is fairly loopy that it occurred in my rookie season with what we have needed to undergo originally of the 12 months,” Riggs said. “To have actually powerful runs, a number of of dangerous luck, mechanical failures, getting caught up in wrecks … to come back again and have a fifth, fifth and a win actually means so much.”
Riggs then described his feelings and ideas over the race’s last run, emphasizing the burden of the second.
“I got here throughout the road, I could not even see the observe. I used to be crying in my helmet. So a few years of making an attempt and dealing simply to have the ability to race within the Truck Sequence, not to mention win … it is like your childhood desires and needs have lastly been fulfilled. There’s nothing to explain it.”
Making the second much more particular was the truth that Riggs’ father, Scott, was capable of be on the observe to rejoice along with his son, although the elder Riggs practically missed the race completely.
“He was really 50-50 on going to the race,” Riggs stated. “He is like, ‘I may not go this weekend.’ I am actually glad he made the choice to come back to the racetrack. I could not have imagined it if he wasn’t there. I feel he is solely ever missed three races in my profession. It was nice to have him by my aspect.”
The win is not simply the primary for Riggs, however for a lot of of his crew members as effectively. After the departure of Zane Smith from Entrance Row Motorsports’ No. 38 truck on the finish of 2023, the crew that helped Smith win the 2022 Truck Sequence championship was gone, leaving Riggs a group of fellow rookies.
“I did not get left with the right group,” Riggs defined. “Lots of people stated that the truck has received the championship earlier than, anticipating us to exit and win races proper off the bat. This was just about a brand new race group. We’re all rookies.”
Because the Truck Sequence heads to Bristol for the 18th race of the 2024 season, Riggs and the No. 38 group are in search of one other victory, together with their fourth consecutive top-five end.
No matter what occurs over the ultimate six races of the season, nevertheless, Riggs’ Milwaukee win stands as a particular second for driver, group and Dad, in addition to a shot within the arm going into 2025.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence will tackle the excessive banks of Bristol Motor Speedway on Thursday evening. The inexperienced flag will fly shortly after 8 p.m. ET, with protection on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.