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Layne Riggs penalized by NASCAR for unapproved adjustment at Talladega, will impact Martinsville race

JHby: Jonathan Howard10/17/25Jondean25
Corey Heim Layne Riggs NASCAR
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bad news for Layne Riggs and the No. 34 team. The crew was caught messing with the front splitter and will be penalized. This penalty from NASCAR won’t just impact this Talladega race tonight, but will also have an impact on Martinsville next week.

The unapproved adjustment penalty after inspection is a harsh one. Layne Riggs will drop to the rear. In the Truck Series, pit stall selection is based on the previous week’s qualifying results. Riggs is not going to post a time in qualifying, meaning he will get a terrible pit selection next week where it matters most.

Going into tonight’s race at Talladega, Riggs is -1 to the cutline. He could use a solid day at Dega. Good news, starting position isn’t a big deal in a race like this. So, there is a chance for Riggs to bounce back.

Layne Riggs should be fine. But any time you start in the rear of the field, you risk getting caught up in wrecks back there. At superspeedways, we often see the wrecks happening in the front of the field, where pushing and shoving get so intense. Still, the risk exists in the back.

The Truck Series Playoffs are winding down. Just Talladega and Martinsville are left before Phoenix. With Riggs getting a poor pit selection on pit road next week at the Paperclip, things are going to be difficult. If he can’t come out of the Dega race today with some points above the cutline, then his Championship 4 hopes might go up in smoke.

Layne Riggs trying to keep pace with Corey Heim

While this Truck Series season has been defined by the dominance of Corey Heim, Layne Riggs has had a few things to say this season. He has won races, gotten into Heim on multiple occasions, and made progress on where he was even a year ago in this series.

Riggs is trying his best to keep pace. But Heim is in a class of his own. If Heim weren’t in the Truck Series this year, Riggs would have likely been the wins leader. He is going to shine when he gets a chance to get out from the shadow of the 11 team.

For now, Riggs has to focus. He can’t let himself slip further down in points. Because if he has to win at Martinsville, it is going to be next to impossible with his pit stall selection. A late-race pit stop and restart, even if Riggs was able to lead laps in the race, would likely put an end to his hopes of a win.

Talladega isn’t the place to go hunting for points, really. Still, Layne Riggs has to do something today. He either has to have a good day with points or a win. That way, he can improve his spot in the points and give himself a chance to make Phoenix.