The final race of the Craftsman Truck Series regular season unfolded under the lights at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, delivering a crescendo of on‑track drama that capped a year of relentless competition. Layne Riggs, driving the No. 45 truck, surged ahead in the closing laps to claim victory in the EJP 175, securing his sixth career win in the series and cementing his place among the season’s most consistent performers.
Stage Play and Point Accumulation
Stage 1 saw Connor Zilisch dominate the opening segment, earning nine points while Riggs settled for second with the same haul. In Stage 2, Chandler Smith claimed the runner‑up spot with nine points, edging ahead of Riggs, who gathered eight. The stage finishes not only highlighted the drivers’ strategic acumen but also added crucial points toward the championship tally.
When the checkered flag waved, the point ledger told a clear story. Riggs finished with 72 total points and 17 stage points, enough to edge out Smith, who amassed 51 points and 16 stage points for a second‑place finish. Kaden Honeycutt rounded out the podium with 34 points, underscoring a tightly contested battle for the top spots as the season drew to a close.
Beyond the individual results, the race served as a pivotal checkpoint for the championship standings. With the regular season now complete, drivers and teams will shift focus to the playoffs, where every point earned in Loudon could prove decisive. The performance also sparked conversation about the competitive balance within the series, as veteran names like Christopher Bell, Giovanni Ruggiero and Jake Garcia continued to make their presence felt throughout the event.