Layne Riggs Wins the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series St. Petersburg Race

Historic First NASCAR Truck Street Race

 

Layne Riggs held off Ben Rhodes and Ty Majeski to win the OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Feb. 28 in the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.

 

Riggs' big lead eroded in lap traffic in the final 15 laps, allowing Rhodes and Majeski to close to within car lengths.

 

But Riggs withstood the two Thorsport Racing Fords in the final intense laps, especially as the teammates battled for second coming to the white flag.

 

"First thing I'm going to say, thank you to Joey Hand," said Riggs in Victory Lane. "I know he's watching at home. A road course guy -- he's the man. He helped me so much. We've been working on this racetrack in the simulator at Ford Racing since December. I really, really wanted to get my first win on a road course.

 

“The short track guy from Bahama, North Carolina, won at St. Pete, can you believe it? I've really been trying to perfect my craft. I feel like I've been close in the road courses. Just a big shout out to everybody at Front Row Motorsports ... I literally said, ‘I just want to win a road course, just to show I'm not just that short track guy’.”

 

Unofficial NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race Results

1. Layne Riggs, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
2. Ty Majeski, No. 88 Thorsport Racing Ford
3. Ben Rhodes, No. 99 Thorsport Racing Ford
4. Chandler Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
5. Kaden Honeycutt, No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota
6. Landen Lewis, No. 45 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
7. Andres Perez de Lara, No. 44 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
8. Daniel Hemric, No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
9. Colin Braun, No. 25 Kaulig Racing Ram
10. James Hinchcliffe, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
11. Ben Maier, No. 4 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
12. Justin Haley, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Ram
13. Connor Mosack, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
14. Cole Butcher, No. 13 Thorsport Racing Ford
15. Christian Eckes, No. 91 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
16. Tyler Reif, No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
17. Daniel Dye, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Ram
18. Jake Garcia, No. 98 Thorsport Racing Ford
19. Kris Wright, No. 81 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
20. Tanner Gray, No. 15 TRICON Garage Toyota
21. Carter Fartuch, No. 2 Team Reaume Ford
22. Grant Enfinger, No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet
23. Butterbean Queen, No. 12 Kaulig Racing Ram
24. Adam Andretti, No. 5 TRICON Garage Toyota
25. Giovanni Ruggiero, No. 17 TRICON Garage Toyota (-1 lap down)
26. Stewart Friesen, No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota (-2)
27. Dario Franchitti, No. 1 TRICON Garage Toyota (-2)
28. Mini Tyrrell, No. 14 Kaulig Racing Dodge (-3)
29. Jackson Lee, No. 22 Team Reaume Ford (-5)
30. Frankie Muniz, No. 33 Team Reaume Ford (-6)
31. Tyler Ankrum, No. 18 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet (-10)
32. Timmy Hill, No. 56 Hill Motorsports Toyota (-17)
33. Dawson Sutton, No. 26 Rackley W.A.R. Chevrolet (OUT)
34. Nathan Nicholson, No. 76 Freedom Racing Enterprises Chevrolet (OUT)
35. Derek White, No. 69 MBM Ford (OUT)
36. Wesley Slimp, No. 62 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota (OUT)

Hard work pays off, @LayneRiggs99. 👏 pic.twitter.com/vUDCbY6li2

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) February 28, 2026

 

source: The Tennessean Media

COTA and St. Petersburg #NASCAR Race Schedule

Cup & O'Reilly at Cota / Trucks at St. Petersburg

 

Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is a Grade 1 FIA-specification 3.426-mile (5.514 km) motor racing track and facilities located in Austin, Texas.

 

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is set for something new this weekend, its first street-circuit race on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. The 1.8-mile, 14-turn waterfront course has long been a challenge for the NTT IndyCar Series, and NASCAR will get its first taste of it this weekend.

 

Friday, February 27, 2026

• 7-9 a.m. NASCAR Cup Series Haulers Enter
• 8-10 a.m. Laps for Charity to Benefit Speedway Children's Charities
• 9-11 a.m. NASCAR O' Reilly Auto Parts Series Haulers Enter
• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. NASCAR Credentials & NASCAR at COTA Media Credentials Office Open (Lot R Off Kellam & Elroy Roads Across from COTA Main Entrance)
• 1 p.m. Parking Lots Open
• 1-7 p.m. Ticket Office Open
• 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Autograph Session – Mahaffey Theater
• 2 p.m.–30 Min. Post Track Activity Trams Running
• 2-7:05 p.m. Gate Open (Main Grandstand, Grand Plaza, Gate 1 & 3)
• 2-2:40 p.m. IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge Practice
• 4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Practice
• 4-4:50 p.m. NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Practice (Timed | 50 Minutes)
• 5:00-6 p.m. NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying
• 5:05 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Qualifying
• 6 p.m. First Responder Appreciation Event & Keystone Camper Appreciation Party
• 6:30-6:45 p.m. IMSA Qualifying (Timed | GSX Entries: 15 Minutes)
• 6:50-7:05 p.m. IMSA Qualifying (Timed | P3 Entries: 15 Minutes)

Saturday, February 28, 2026

• 7 a.m. Parking Lots Open
• 7:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. NASCAR Credentials & NASCAR at COTA Media Credentials Office Open (Lot R Off Kellam & Elroy Roads Across from COTA Main Entrance)
• 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Ticket Office Open
• 8 a.m.–One Hour Post Race Trams Running
• Fan Assistance Shuttles Running (Donations Benefit Speedway Children's Charities)
• 8:15 a.m. Gates Open (Main Grandstand, Grand Plaza & Gates 1 & 3)
• Public Club & Private Lofts Open
• 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Roaming Talent in Fan Zone (AmirrorCAN Men & Animal Stilt Walkers)
• 9 a.m. NASCAR Cup Series Practice
• 9 a.m. Funkanometry Performance (Fan Zone)
• Sea Lion Splash (Soccer Field)
• 9:30 a.m. Kardeni (Fan Zone)
• 9:30 a.m. Speedway Children's Charities Live Auction
• 10:10 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying
• 11: 20 a.m. IMSA Pre-Race Ceremonies
• 11:35 AM NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Driver Introductions
• 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. IMSA Race One 
• Timed-45 Minutes
• 12:23 p.m. NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race
• 80 Laps
• 12:50 p.m. Deer Meat for Dinner Meet & Greet (Cracker Barrel Display)
• 1:25 p.m. NASCAR O' Reilly Parts Series Driver Introductions (Frontstretch)
• 2:00 p.m. Focused Health 250 NASCAR O' Reilly Auto Parts Series Race
• Stages 20/40/65
• Laps = 156 miles
• 5:20-5:30 p.m. IMSA Pre-Race Ceremonies
• 5:30 p.m.-6:15 p.m. IMSA Race Two 
• Timed: 45 Minutes

Sunday, March 1, 2026

• 8 a.m. Parking Lots Open
• 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Ticket Office Open
• 9:30 a.m.–One Hour Post Race Trams Running
• Fan Assistance Shuttles Running (Donations Benefit Speedway Children's Charities)
• 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. NASCAR Credentials & NASCAR at COTA Media Credentials Office Open (Lot R Off Kellam & Elroy Roads Across from COTA Main Entrance)
• 10 a.m. Gates Open (Main Grandstand, Grand Plaza & Gates 1 & 3)
• Public Club & Private Lofts Open
• 12-2:15 p.m. Track Pass Access
• 12:45-1:45 p.m. Pre-Race Concert: The Spazmatics
• 2:05 p.m. NASCAR Cup Series Driver Introductions (Frontstretch)
• 2:30 p.m. NASCAR Cup Series Race 
• Stages 20/45/95
• Laps = 228 miles

Race weekend starts NOW! 🔥#DuraMAXGP | #NASCARatCOTA pic.twitter.com/SAXGoh9tXf

— NASCAR at COTA (@NASCARatCOTA) February 27, 2026

 

source: NASCAR Media

New and Expanded Enhancements Elevate the Fan Experience for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

 

For those fans attending the upcoming Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on February 27-March 1, some new amenities and expanded features have been added to enhance the fan experience across the three-day festival along the downtown waterfront.

 

To supplement the high-demand downtown St. Petersburg street parking and garage spaces, Tropicana Field’s Lot 6 and Lot 7 will be available for $30 per day on a first-come, first-served basis. This includes a free shuttle service to and from the event site. Also, The Central Garage at 1398 1st Ave. N. is a brand new parking structure with over 500 spaces. Its entrance is on 1st Avenue North between 13th Street and 15th Street and accessible via a short walk to SunRunner stops at 13th Street and 1st Avenue South for east-bound service, and the route back to the garage drops passengers at 1st Avenue North and 13th Street.

 

For those not wanting to commute by vehicle to the race site, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority has special SunRunner bus routes established for race fans dropping off and picking up at three different locations within a few blocks of Gate 1 and Gate 5 starting at just $3. To take advantage of this special rate, more details and instructions can be found at psta.net/sunrunner or on the gpstpete.com website in the “Know Before You Go” section under the “Plan Your Visit” main menu.

 

While on site, new features for the enjoyment of all spectators are spread across the event site. An increase to nine videoboards will be positioned strategically around the race track near key spectator general admission and reserved grandstand viewing locations. Pre-race ceremonies for both Saturday’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race and Sunday’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES 100-lap finale will both happen for the very first time on the Mahaffey Theater’s Festival Plaza stage offering viewing access to a greater number of spectators.

 

This Festival Plaza stage will also be home to live music from a DJ on Friday and Saturday during breaks in the on track sessions and the site of a large video board to not miss a moment of the racing action. Tables and chairs will be placed throughout this area again to take a break.

 

Pioneer Park is a gem on the race site near Gate 1. It is a major general admission gathering area with many trees offering shade and positioned nearby is the SpeedZone filled with numerous food and beverage options and many fan activations. This is a popular location for families attending.

 

There are also some key social gathering areas where fans can catch some beverages and refreshments trackside. New is the trackside Nowadays Club open to the public with Nowadays products, seating with shade, videoboard and view of the track located just north of Al Lang Stadium, and a general admission viewing area outside Turn 1 with an additional bar structure will be positioned nearby the Albert Whitted Airport Terminal. The ever-expanding Horse Soldier Bourbon Whiskey Waterside Club again will be floating in the Tampa Bay at the entry point of the Grand Prix’s Yacht Club accessible from the Turn 11 spectator bridge. The Ultra Party Pit returns to the entry of pitlane, and NUTRL Victory Garden will be positioned on the opposite end at pit out.

 

A printable and downloadable festival map identifying these locations and many more is available on the official event website at gpstpete.com/plan-your-visit/festival-map. 

Before the cars hit the track with seven races in all planned to take the green flag, the festivities officially kick off for the community on Thursday, February 26 with the annual INDYCAR Party in the Park and 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track. Free to the public, INDYCAR Party in the Park takes place at North Straub Park from 4-7 p.m. ET and features driver appearances, displayed race cars, music, giveaways and more. The 5K will give runners and walkers the unique opportunity to take on the same course as the racers. Participants can register at gpstpete5k.com with all proceeds benefiting the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg.

 

A limited number of remaining multi-day tickets can still be purchased at gpstpete.com gpstpete.com for those wanting to attend all three days of the action-packed weekend. A 3-Day General Admission ticket offers the best value at $80, and 3-Day Grandstand seats are priced at $185, $170 and $140 for Gold, Silver and Bronze, respectively.

 

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will bring fans three full days of family fun and nonstop racing action with seven total races from five different racing series. Daily General Admission tickets are $30 for Friday, $55 for Saturday and $70 for Sunday. Single Day Grandstand tickets are $135 for Silver and $110 for Bronze seating. Junior pricing is available for attendees ages 12 and under.

 

For additional ticket prices, the event schedule and festival information, visit gpstpete.com. Follow Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on social media using @gpstpete and #FirestoneGP for the latest updates. Joining the E-Club also provides insider access to the latest news and offers.

 

 

source: Green Savoree. Media

OnlyBulls is Entitlement Sponsor for NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race at St. Petersburg

‘Green Means Go’

 

Green Savoree Racing Promotions is proud to announce a dynamic new partnership with OnlyBulls, naming the digital wallet and mobile app as the entitlement sponsor for the upcoming NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event. The race, officially titled the OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 at St. Petersburg, will bring the high-octane excitement of NASCAR to the iconic streets of the Sunshine City, on Saturday, February 28.

 

The sponsorship marks OnlyBulls’ first foray into NASCAR entitlement, expanding an already significant presence in motorsports. OnlyBulls currently sponsors four NTT INDYCAR SERIES entries in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg: the No. 18 and No. 19 of Dale Coyne Racing, and the No. 60 and No. 66 of Meyer Shank Racing.

 

The OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 at St. Petersburg will mark the first ever NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race on a street course happening as part of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg weekend, February 27-March 1. The green flag is set for 12:23 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 28th, with live national broadcast coverage on FOX.

 

 

OnlyBulls is a free-to-download digital wallet designed to simplify the path to building digital wealth. Through its “Green Flag” marketing campaign, the brand aims to transition fans from spectators to participants in the digital economy.

 

“The excitement of NASCAR hitting the streets of St. Petersburg aligns so perfectly with the launch of OnlyBulls and our Green Flag marketing initiative,” said Todd Ault, Founder of OnlyBulls. “Our goal is to get people out of the grandstands and into the race — to start building digital wealth. Green means go! And building digital wealth starts by downloading the OnlyBulls app.”

 

The partnership extends beyond the track with the Green Flag Forum: America’s Next Lap, occurring at the Mahaffey Theater on Saturday, Feb. 28th at 7:30 p.m. ET. This public event will feature a keynote on “The Future of Finance” by 35-year Wall Street veteran and entrepreneur Todd Ault, Republican National Chair and Tampa native Joe Gruters, and other special guests, plus a special appearance by Romain Grosjean, Bitcoin MAX Global Brand Ambassador and driver of the No. 18 Bitcoin MAX Honda. For more information on this free event, visit GreenFlagForum.com or visit OnlyBulls' Green Flag Garage on site during the event.

 

“Todd Ault has been a valued partner for the past three seasons across multiple races, and we are thrilled to continue growing this partnership,” said Co-owner, President and COO of Green Savoree Promotions Kevin Savoree. “Bringing a forward-thinking brand like OnlyBulls into the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series adds a new level of energy to our race weekend. We look forward to seeing the ‘Green Flag’ wave both on the track and in the hands of fans downloading the OnlyBulls app.”

 

Fans attending the race weekend can visit the OnlyBulls “Green Flag Garage” activation unit to learn more about the ecosystem, including askROI — the AI platform that powers OnlyBulls and brings dynamic intelligence to investing — and Bitcoin Max (BMAX), the Swiss-based Bitcoin trust. Attendees who download the app and open a free account during the weekend will be eligible for exclusive promotional offers, including limited-edition racing gear and opportunities to win rides in the INDYCAR Experience 2-seater.

  

source: Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Media