When you’re the top driver in a racing series, you’re going to have all the other drivers out to beat you. That’s been the case for Corey Heim in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Even when he’s been the best, Chandler Smith seems to be the one who can outperform him in shootout finishes to races. The Truck Series race at North Wilkesboro certainly didn’t play out how Heim wanted it to at the end of the race. While Smith was giving Heim plenty of challenge late in the race, Layne Riggs, Smith’s teammate, certainly poked his nose into the wrong spot at the wrong time.
Riggs and Heim made contact; that’s going to sting the No. 11 team for a while, as it gave Chandler Smith the space to capture the checkered flag on Saturday.
Heim-Riggs Incident Paves Way for Chandler Smith Victory at North Wilkesboro
As the Truck Series took to North Wilkesboro for just the fifth time ever, there was plenty of excitement with the likes of Kyle Busch in the field. Too bad he didn’t end up being much of a factor when it was all said and done. This race played right into the hands of the Truck Series regulars, much like it did in 2024. Heim was looking to win his second straight at North Wilkesboro.
Rain didn’t allow the drivers to qualify, so Heim was on the pole for the race. That proved to make him very hard to catch and pass throughout the race.
Time to get this short track showdown underway!
The green flag is out and we are live on FS1 from @NWBSpeedway. pic.twitter.com/gJbA60kFMj
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) May 17, 2025
Tricon Garage Means Business
Not only has Heim been the top driver all season, but he’s also led in every race this season. His performance, along with some of his teammates, was one of the highlights of Wilkesboro. Tricon had a driver make his truck debut this weekend, and he could very well be the next phenom like Heim, who appears to be.
Brent Crews is only 17, and he was trying to make a name for himself in his truck debut. He had his No. 1 truck up in the hunt early on. The first 47 laps of the race went green, as Corey Heim held the lead easily. But a caution brought out by the No. 22 of Tyler Tomassi changed the strategy up late in the first stage. That incident saw things shake up at the front as Heim’s other young teammate, Gio Ruggiero, was able to gain the lead and score his first career Stage win.
Stage 1 win ✅
First career stage win ✅@Gio_Ruggiero1 is leading the way at @NWBSpeedway. pic.twitter.com/aXbW3N784Z— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) May 17, 2025
As the drivers got back to green during stage two, the first run-in between Layne and Corey occurred while they were fighting for the lead of a restart. The pair made contact, and it allowed the No. 9 of Grant Enfinger to slip by for the lead.
Grant Enfinger taking advantage of restart issues for Corey Heim and Layne Riggs! pic.twitter.com/P0my4I8Uav
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) May 17, 2025
Even with such an impressive truck, Heim wasn’t able to score stage wins this time, as Enfinger ended up holding on to the lead until the stage ended around lap 139.
Didn’t let that advantage go to waste.@GrantEnfinger wins Stage 2! pic.twitter.com/iiZz6jILOm
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) May 17, 2025
Here Comes Front Row Motorsports
Heim was able to regain control of the race during the final stage. But as he was doing so, Chandler Smith was making his way into the hunt. Smith had to start at the rear of the field, but that didn’t stop him from quickly getting his No. 38 in a position to throw everything he had at Corey. Their battle for the win was almost destined to happen, given that both have been the top two best all season.
When Smith got up to second, he gave Heim a little tap to let him know he was there, as North Wilkesboro was once again proving to be a great venue for the Truck Series.
Juuuust a touch. pic.twitter.com/NE9cgVXRNB
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) May 17, 2025
Despite the tap, Heim would hold onto the race lead for the final 105 laps of the race. With 10 or so laps to go, things got real interesting at the front, as Chandler Smith was able to get side-by-side with Heim. Two things happened simultaneously. It appeared that Smith had passed Heim for the lead, while an incident on the track happened behind them.
A closer look at the cause of the late caution. pic.twitter.com/zMjEhfEYKm
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) May 17, 2025
Overtime Gets Wild
After having a smooth and quiet day, Heim’s teammate Crews, made contact with Ben Rhodes bringing out a yellow, and sending the race into overtime. The replay ended up confirming Heim remained the race leader. That made for a very interesting restart, with Heim having to battle both Smith and Riggs.
Luckily, it was only one overtime, as Heim fired off well, only to have the lead over a late-charging Riggs at the white flag. As the two battled off of turn two, Heim appeared to get run up the track and lose control, spinning out. Riggs tried to hold the lead, but his teammate Chandler Smith took full advantage and slipped through for his second win of the season.
What a battle between @Team_FRM teammates, Chandler Smith and Layne Riggs! pic.twitter.com/s1m2e4f7My
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) May 17, 2025
While Smith celebrated, things weren’t as cool down on the pit lane.
READ MORE: Chandler Smith Back in NASCAR Truck Series Victory Lane at Bristol
Did Someone Say Rivalry
It appears a rivalry has been formed between Layne Riggs and Corey Heim. Or more of a warning from Heim towards Riggs, after their last lap incident. According to Dustin Long from NBC Sports, Heim shared some not-so-fine words with Riggs on the pit lane after the race, which the FOX broadcast didn’t pick up.
” You’re racing like a (expletive) idiot,” Heim said to Riggs. ” Calm down or else someone’s going to take care of you.”
He may have been referring to how Riggs nearly wrecked last week’s winner, Carson Hocevar, on the final lap at Kansas. Or perhaps himself. Heim has run out of patience with Layne at this point. In the heat of the moment, did Riggs do anything wrong? It doesn’t look like it, according to him, anyway.
” We were side-by-side down the frontstretch, and I had a huge run and I went bottom and ya know I didn’t fence him, I slide him up the track and gave him a lane,” Riggs told FOX Sports’ Josh Sims. ” We’re at North Wilkesboro on the last lap going for a Truck win. I don’t feel like I did anything wrong there.”
Hear from P2 finisher Layne Riggs ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/jnFnad3PMI
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) May 17, 2025
It’s racing hurt feelings, and what not, I’m sure it won’t be the last time Riggs and Heim have an issue. Meanwhile Chandler Smith is one happy dude. On to Charlotte.
READ NEXT: Carson Hocevar Outclasses Truck Series Regulars to Win at Kansas
Main Photo: Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images
Recording Date: 5/17/2024
