NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Fans React To Christopher Bell’s Timely Final-Lap Effort, Claiming Ambetter Health 400 At Atlanta

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published23 Feb 2025

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cup chris bell win at atlanta stand on machine (1)

NASCAR Cup Series champion Christopher Bell was out of it through much of Sunday’s Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The driver of the No. 20 Toyota started 32nd and did not collect any of the available 20 stage points.  

On the last lap, however, Bell, who only led on the final rotation, made timely maneuvers to secure his 10th career victory. The winning moves developed on Lap 264 when Kyle Larson took the lead from the outside lane, racing next to Ross Chastain. Attempting to form a third lane, Carson Hocevar forced his way up the middle, causing Chastain to fall back. 

Bell next entered the fray and raced three-wide for the lead with Hocevar, who ended up a controversial P2, and Larson, whose P3 may help end his superspeedway problems. As the trio raced to the finish, several cars were caught up in a collision. 

Just before the caution alarm, Bell was declared the winner.

After competing on two drafting tracks, the series heads to Texas’ road course next week. 

X (Twitter) users responded to another hot finish at Atlanta …

Bell’s effort proved timely Sunday … 

Pre-race look at the Atlanta line. Fans were treated to another close finish …

 Age-old question. Does the Truck Series ever get respect? … 

Looking back 33 years ago to a more patriotic Atlanta … 

Last-minute looks Sunday morning … 

ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons started things off …

The first stage started and finished under green as Josh Berry earned 10 points …

Brad Keselowski was penalized for dragging equipment out of the box. The No. 6 Ford was forced to move to the rear. “Went a little too hard,” Keselowski said on his team radio. “Sorry.” …

Joey Logano, who finished in 10th place, established an active-driver record Sunday. Logano eclipsed Denny Hamlin for the most laps led at a drafting track with 1,153 …

 

Chase Elliott was victimized at his home track on Lap 149. After Chase Briscoe and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. tangled for P9, their cars made contact, causing the No. 47 Chevrolet to push the No. 9 Chevrolet into the wall. Elliott then made Corey LaJoie’s machine spin and collect Keselowski …

Larson earned the Stage 2 win. It was his 63rd career stage triumph, but it was unique to the 2021 Cup champion …

Daniel Suarez, who claimed last season’s photo finish at Atlanta, struggled Sunday. After running in the 30s during the first stage, he made contact with Ty Gibbs while competing for P21 on Lap 183. The incident triggered a multi-machine mele along the frontstretch, involving Cole Custer, Noah Gragson, Zane Smith, Cody Ware and JJ Yeley ..

In a series first, Michael McDowell on Lap 184 received his sixth free pass of the day, matching the mark for the most all-time in one race. He earned a 13th-place finish …

With the racing heating up, Ryan Blaney received an aggressive bump from Hocevar while competing for P4. Blaney spun out along Turns 1 and 2. The two spoke after Blaney said on his team radio: “He’s just a moron” …

Blaney overcame the Hocevar hiccup and raced to the lead on Lap 252, marking the seventh straight time he led at least one lap at the reconfigured 1.54-mile quad-oval track …

On Lap 256, Bell started to make his winning run, challenging Austin Cindric, whose pit stall was running hot. Larson joined the battle on the next lap as Denny Hamlin struck the Turn 4 wall …

Two laps from the finish, Larson, who generally struggles on drafting tracks, attempted to pass Cindric, but was not clear and initiated contact. Cindric then took out Daytona 500 two-time winner William Byron along the backstretch. “I’m sure that was my fault,” Larson told NASCAR.com after the race …

Analyzing the finish …

Toyota has been waiting a long time for a win in the Peach State …