NASCAR fans rip FOX for going to commercial during Layne Riggs burnout at Bristol
After Layne Riggs’ second straight NASCAR Truck Series victory, FOX went to commercial on FS1 during his celebratory burnout. Fans were not happy, to say the least.
It might seem silly to those who aren’t fans. However, the burnout or victory lap – the postrace celebration is integral to the sport of NASCAR. We watch drivers let out all of the pent-up emotion and frustration from the race, the last month, or the season.
Hell, the last time Layne Riggs won his celebration went more viral than the race. Riggs threw his shoulder out of place celebrating too hard after Milwaukee.
This time at Bristol, Riggs shared his burnout with split-screen commercials. Fans online were not happy with it.
The screenshot from Dylan Wieloszynski below really shows how poor this was from FOX and FS1.
Others were even more harsh to FOX. The @NASCARONFOX account on X/Twitter was getting a ton of replies and angry responses.
Even Bob Pockrass, who has nothing to do with the TV product, caught heat in his mentions. NASCAR fans really did not like having to watch Layne Riggs celebrate on a tiny box with no sound. That’s not NASCAR.
The most frustrating part of watching the broadcast tonight is that FS1 can do better. They have the talent. Adam Alexander is fantastic. I honestly believe that Michael Waltrip provides good commentary and dialogue when he is in the right booth.
There is just a disconnect, it appears, between what the producers are doing and what race fans want from a broadcast. It is a consistent issue with FOX that hurts Cup, Xfinity, and Truck broadcasts. Let’s not even talk about the lack of energy and care that goes into ARCA.
I get it, TV is a business. Money has to be made. Things have to be done a certain way. But there is a difference between being efficient and lacking in quality.
Going to commercial during a moment that is supposed to be the climax, full of energy, emotion, not to mention the raw visceral sound of a racecar burning tires down. It’s everything NASCAR fans love about the sport.
Lanye Riggs wins back-to-back as spoiler
While it is a shame Layne Riggs can’t win a championship this year, it is awesome to see him play spoiler in back-to-back races. He is not in the Truck Series Playoffs after a rough start to the season. However, ever since finishing P3 at North Wilkesboro, Riggs has been one of the top drivers in the series.
Tonight, Riggs dominated the final stage of the race. He also earned his fourth straight top-5 finish, dating back to IRP. To lead the most laps, win the race, and do it after entering the postseason as the 15th best truck is impressive. Front Row and Riggs could make a lot of noise in 2025.
According to Seth Eggert of Kickin’ the Tires, Layne Riggs is the first driver since Harrison Burton in 2020 to win as a spoiler in the playoffs (since 2004). Tony Stewart did it himself when he missed out on The Chase in 2006.
Layne Riggs came out of the Last Great Colosseum victorious tonight. He deserved better on his celebration. But the main thing is he has two wins in the Truck Series now, and it looks like all of the momentum in the world heading into the next race, and likely, next season.