While NASCAR’s Cup and Xfinity Series head to Atlanta, the Craftsman Truck Series is set to make its debut at Lime Rock Park.
Though many unknowns remain, Layne Riggs is confident about his chances at the Connecticut road course. Although the track has not hosted a NASCAR national touring series in 68 years, Riggs has considerable experience running the facility.
Layne Riggs Goes Down Memory Lane To Figure Out the Lime Rock Race
NASCAR’s return to grassroots tracks always generates excitement, and that’s precisely the goal with Lime Rock Park’s historic weekend.
Dicky Riegel, the track’s president and CEO, said, “This is a watershed moment for Lime Rock Park. We are honored to bring a major NASCAR series to our historic circuit and offer fans an entirely new experience. The combination of top-tier talent, grassroots excitement and immersive fan programming makes this an unforgettable addition to our calendar.”
The 1.5-mile road course presents unique challenges since no active NASCAR Truck Series driver has competitive experience there. However, Riggs is banking on his virtual experience at Lime Rock to master the demanding layout.
In a pre-race interview, he said, “Lime Rock was the first track I ever drove on iRacing when I was 11 or 12. So I’ve got plenty of experience there, at least in the simulation world. I know what it’s all about.”
Riggs also gained valuable real-world experience during a private test session ahead of the race, boosting his confidence further.
“Ford Performance was able to get us some Mustangs up there,” he explained. “We got to run some laps and get the feel of the race track. It’s a fast place — very fast and very narrow. We haven’t done extensive sim time, but our package at road courses remains pretty consistent. The setups don’t change much from track to track.”
We might be heading to @limerockpark for the first time, but it’s a facility that @LayneRiggs99 is already familiar with.
Last week’s winner explains. pic.twitter.com/EzWymFcnj8
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) June 26, 2025
This marks only Riggs’ second road-course race in the Truck Series, following his 27th-place finish at Circuit of the Americas last season. However, the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports driver carries significant winning momentum into Lime Rock. He’s coming off his breakthrough victory at Pocono Raceway and hopes to secure back-to-back wins.
Read More: Legendary NASCAR Cup Crew Chief Tips Hat to Layne Riggs After Brilliant Truck Victory at Pocono
The competition won’t make things easy for Riggs. Jordan Taylor, a four-time IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship winner with extensive Lime Rock experience, joins the field. However, Taylor has never piloted a NASCAR truck at the facility, creating an intriguing dynamic.
Current series points leader Corey Heim also poses a significant threat, particularly given his strong road-course resume. Heim captured the COTA victory last season, demonstrating his ability to excel on challenging road courses.
With seasoned sports car veterans, rising stars, and established contenders converging on the historic Connecticut facility, this weekend’s race promises to deliver compelling competition. The unique combination of track inexperience and individual expertise should create an unpredictable and thrilling spectacle when the green flag drops.