Riggs Makes Late Race Pass for Seventh Victory
Layne Riggs delivered a huge performance Friday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, passing championship rival Kaden Honeycutt late in the race to win the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Ecosave 200. The victory marked Riggs’ seventh win of the 2026 season and gave him a major boost in the battle for the series championship.
Driving the No. 34 Ford for Front Row Motorsports, Riggs started 13th but quickly worked his way toward the front. He showed strong speed throughout the race, winning Stage 1 and leading 47 of the 134 laps.
However, the biggest moment came during the closing laps, when Riggs found himself battling Honeycutt for the lead.
Late Drama Decides the Race
Honeycutt appeared to be in position to secure another important victory as the race approached its conclusion. The championship leader had led a race-high 85 laps and won Stage 2, putting himself in control for much of the event.
Riggs refused to back down, steadily closing the gap as the laps wound down. With seven laps remaining, he made his move against Honeycutt entering Turn 4.
The pressure proved too much for Honeycutt, who slid up the track and brushed the outside wall. Riggs took advantage of the mistake, moved into the lead and held on through the final laps to secure the win.
Christian Eckes finished second, 0.596 seconds behind Riggs, while Honeycutt recovered to finish third. Bayley Currey and Chandler Smith rounded out the top five.
The race featured several cautions and a late red flag following a multi-truck accident, adding even more drama to an already intense night.
Championship Battle Heats Up
The victory carries major championship implications for Riggs. Entering Charlotte trailing Honeycutt in the standings, Riggs cut the deficit to just 17 points with four postseason races remaining.
The result also completed a season sweep for Riggs at Charlotte, giving him victories in both Truck Series races held at the track in 2026.
With momentum now on his side, Riggs has positioned himself as a serious threat to win the championship. His ability to recover from a 13th-place starting position and execute a late-race pass demonstrated the speed and determination needed during the postseason.
Riggs Looks Ahead
Riggs and Front Row Motorsports will now turn their attention toward the next round of the Truck Series Chase at Phoenix Raceway.
With the championship battle tightening and only four postseason races remaining, every position matters. Riggs has closed the gap considerably, and another strong performance could put even more pressure on Honeycutt.
Friday night’s victory was more than another win for Riggs. It was a statement that he intends to fight for the championship until the very end.