NCTS Race Recap: TSport 200

The TSport 200 at the Indianapolis Raceway Park started in the sun but ended how every race should – under the lights. Layne Riggs, who has been on the front row all season, started the race on the pole. Chandler Smith joined him out front. Christian Eckes and Nick Sanchez started on the second row. The race was 200 laps, with stages one and two being 60 laps and the final stage being 80 laps.

Layne Train Brings the Pain

The front two got good starts, but Riggs took the lead out of turn two. Eckes was able to snag second by passing Smith on the outside.

Kaden Honeycutt moved into the top five after starting in sixth. He caught the rear bumper of Smith and battled for the podium. Smith fought to keep Honeycutt behind him.

By lap 15, Riggs pulled away from Eckes by over a second and a half.

Honeycutt was finally able to get to the outside of Smith to make the pass for third. Smith got back around Honeycutt as they cut through lapped traffic. Connor Mosack caught up to the battle and quickly passed Honeycutt.

Honeycutt was then passed by Ty Majeski and Grant Enfinger. Nick Sanchez was next to get around Honeycutt, as he fell to eighth.

Riggs took stage one wire to wire, leading them all, to get the stage one win in the TSport 200! He lapped all the way to 15th.

Eckes had to make an additional pit stop for mechanical issues.

Stage 2

Smith and Riggs restarted the race on the front row. Riggs did not get a good launch, which allowed Smith to take the lead into turn one. Riggs did not let him get away. Before too long, Riggs used the outside line to retake the lead.

Eckes had to pit again and fell several laps behind.

Jackson Macekno slowed on the track, but was able to get off the racing surface with no caution thrown.

Riggs pulled away by over a second. Smith was one second over Mosack, who sat in third.

Mosack worked his way to the bumper of Smith. Through lapped traffic, he made the pass to take second.

Riggs stayed out front to win stage two in the TSport 200! He had his lead at almost six seconds before getting the green-white-checkered. Mosack, Smith, Enfinger, and Majeski rounded out the top five.

Stage 3

Mosack and Riggs restarted the TSport 200 out front. Riggs got a great launch and took the lead into turn one. Smith got by Mosack to take the runner-up spot.

On lap 137, Cole Butcher and Daniel Hemric got together. Hemric was turned and smacked Landen Lewis. That brought out the third caution of the evening.

NASCAR displayed the red flag to allow the track crew to clean it up.

Gio Ruggiero and Honeycutt used the opportunity to pit for fresh tires.

Riggs and Smith brought the green flag back out on lap 145. Smith struggled to get off the line, which allowed Riggs to scamper away out front.

Honeycutt passed Enfinger to get to ninth. He then passed Gavan Boschele for eighth. Boschele did not make it easy. Andres Perez was next up for Honeycutt. Perez proved to be a difficult pass. After several laps, Honeycutt completed the pass for seventh.

Riggs quickly started to pull away from Mosack.

Majeski tried to get around Smith for third. Smith was able to put his truck where it needed to be to hold him off, but Majeski would ultimately complete the pass with 30 to go.

With 20 to go, Riggs had his lead at almost three seconds. As the laps wound down, Mosack was able to cut it down a bit, but never enough to make an impact.

Layne Riggs took the white flag and then the checkered flag to win the TSport 200! He led 198 laps, which is the most he has ever led in a single race. Mosack, Majeski, Smith and Sanchez finished in the top five.

Marvin’s Minute:

Riggs is here to dominate. He has been fast for the past two seasons. He has separated himself from Honeycutt as the championship favorite. Leading 198 out of 200 laps is one of, if not the most, dominating performances I have ever seen. Chandler Smith was the only other driver to lead laps.

Honeycutt did well after fighting his truck most of the race. He finished in seventh, but was really no match for Riggs.

Riggs will go for four poles in a row when they race at Richmond on Friday, August 14th!