Layne Riggs survives fuel concerns, late-race chaos to win inaugural Navy 250
- Crystal Clay
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
by Crystal Clay
Between spotty radio communication, evolving pit strategy and fuel concerns in the closing laps, the Front Row Motorsports driver spent much of the race trying to adapt to circumstances beyond his control.
By the end of the evening, however, Riggs found himself in Victory Lane as the winner of NASCAR’s first national series race on the temporary San Diego Street Course.
Riggs inherited the lead in the final corners of an overtime finish when race leader Tyler Reif missed the final chicane while attempting to defend the position.
“I just pulled out and left to try to scare him, to miss the corner,” Riggs said. “He did just that. I think my experience paid off there.”
The victory was Riggs’ fourth of the season and ninth of his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career, but it came only after surviving a race that tested both strategy and patience.
Radio communication proved especially difficult around the 3.4-mile street circuit constructed on Naval Base Coronado. Riggs said there were large portions of the track where crews and drivers struggled to communicate.
“Radio communication was very, very tough here,” Riggs said. “Pretty much from Turn 4 all the way to Turn 12, I couldn’t hear anybody.”
The communication issues complicated an already challenging strategy race. Teams faced difficult decisions regarding fuel mileage and tire management throughout the event, and Riggs said he was often unsure how the race would ultimately play out.
“I was so lost,” Riggs said. “I didn’t know what was going on.”
Despite the uncertainty, Riggs and crew chief Dylan Cappello elected to remain on track during a late caution rather than pit for additional fuel. The gamble nearly backfired.
“We were going to be fine if it wasn’t a green-white-checkered finish,” Riggs said. “The last lap, I was running out. Pretty much all the left-hand corners, it would stumble.”
Riggs said he exhausted his tires while conserving fuel during the closing run, leaving him with limited options when overtime began.
“I was cooked,” he said. “I was planning on a top-five finish.”
Instead, contact and mistakes ahead of him opened the door. Reif’s error in the final chicane ultimately handed Riggs the opportunity he needed.
The victory also carried additional significance given the setting. NASCAR’s San Diego debut brought many first-time spectators to Naval Base Coronado during the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
“I asked how many people had never been to a NASCAR race before, and about 80 percent raised their hands,” Riggs said. “To come here and put on a performance like that, I think they’re going to be tuning in next week.”
For Riggs, the result earned a place in the history books.
“It’s one for the history books,” he said. “So cool to be here.”
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