You may have been half right if you expected the Ambetter Heath 400 at Atlanta to go without a hitch. Sure the racing was pretty smooth, and there wasn’t a big one as this race had in 2024. It proved one thing though: this is how this type of racing should be, not crash fests like Daytona and Talladega have become.
Christopher Bell made the right move to be in the right place at the right time and capture his first win in a drafting-style race. Though the win once again on NASCAR’s part had to be overshadowed by controversy. Then again that might just be what NASCAR is about these days.
Christopher Bell takes Toyota to Atlanta's Victory Lane for the first time since 2013! pic.twitter.com/5JTdyTFbeA
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 24, 2025
Christopher Bell Wins Atlanta, Despite More Caution Controversy
If you were expecting a similar finish at the line to this race in 2024, everyone was robbed. Yeah, the top three finishers all came to the line side-by-side, but once again the caution flag decided the win. So sorry for those of you looking for another Atlanta photo finish, we didn’t get it this time.
The Penske Fords once again dominated the race, much like they have on this style of track for the better part of the last five years. Between Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric and Joey Logano Team Penske led 131 of the 266 laps. But came up empty for the second week in a row. The speed those cars have had has been incredible, and the way they controlled a majority of this race, shocked isn’t the best phrase to describe why they didn’t win this race.
As it turns out handling was a much bigger factor than just raw speed. The Chevrolet and Toyota certainly had the handling to outshine Team Penske late in the race. But long before Bell was crowned the winner after being the leader when the caution lights came on. It’s time to look back at the winding road that was Atlanta this weekend.
Opening Stage Goes Green
The first stage of the race went by in a flash. No being serious, it went green the full way. So I hope FOX made enough money with their side-by-side commercial breaks every 13 laps or so. The most exciting part of stage one was watching the likes of William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Carson Hocevar make their way from deeper in the field up into the Top five.
You know how I said stage one was clean. Buckle-up stage two got bizarre. After a couple of single-car incidents that knocked the likes of Ty Dillon and Erik Jones out of contention early in stage two. Some high drama occurred as Elliott was trying to fight back through the field on fresh tires. He was stuck in a three-wide fight with Chase Briscoe and Ricky Stenhouse Jr when trouble befalled his No. 9 car.
We've got trouble on the frontstretch! @chaseelliott, @keselowski and @CoreyLaJoie are involved! pic.twitter.com/Otd8QY8t7c
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 23, 2025
Contact between Briscoe and Stenhouse sent Ricky’s No. 47 up into Elliott and the wall. Elliott suffered a broken toe-link but was able to continue. The biggest takeaway from the incident, Stenhouse is going to Stenhouse.
Michael McDowell a True Warrior
Lost in the many incidents the final 130 laps or so of this race, ended up being, was the grit and tenacity Spire Motorsports’ Michael McDowell showed. He was out of the running quite early as he lost power steering. But being a tough competition, his team managed to fix it, and he only lost six laps. Sure that’s a lot of laps down, especially in such a high-speed mile and a half-track. That’s not the story here though. McDowell fought throughout the race earning six lucky dogs, to get back in the hunt. It was quite an impressive feat and it tied a NASCAR record.
And that’s why you never give up! Proud of this 71 team. P13 at @ATLMotorSpdwy. pic.twitter.com/Ei1IB55WUc
— Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) February 24, 2025
Hocevar Making Noise, but Not in a Good Way
Sure there are plenty of ways in racing to make noise or a name for yourself. Carson Hocevar put his name in the hat of future win contenders. But it wasn’t the best way to do so. His moves on the track on Sunday didn’t sit well with plenty of the sports’ biggest names. He caught the eye of two former Cup Champions for the wrong reason. First was a run-in with Kyle Busch quite early in the race. Busch had some not-so-nice words for Carson via his radio.
The best moment of today’s race was @KyleBusch expressing his displeasure with @CarsonHocevar.#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/y7b1uIotRu
— 24/7 NASCAR (@NASCAR247) February 24, 2025
The issues didn’t end there for the driver of the No. 77 as he spun Ryan Blaney out late in the race, with Blaney later chatting with Hocevar following the race. It’s clear Hocevar has been a little over-aggressive, but then again which driver isn’t these days? It sure looked like Ross Chastain had some advice for Carson as he was also seen speaking to him post-race.
Multiple drivers would like to have conversations with today’s runner-up, Carson Hocevar. pic.twitter.com/DoahDRYaci
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) February 23, 2025
Despite not making too many friends on the track, Hocevar earned his best career finish, as he was in the runner-up spot. Though a certain yellow light, may or may not have robbed him of a shot at his first Cup win.
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Robbed of Photo Finish
I mean does this sport even know its own rules anymore? One week they race back to the line the next they don’t get to. I guess in this case the fans were right again. Where is the consistency? No offense to Christopher he was in the right place at the right time.
Did NASCAR jump the gun? Some might say they did, and I happen to agree. Especially after they let them race back to the line at the Daytona 500. It’s not like the dust-up wreck in Atlanta this weekend, was as bad as the crash at the end of the 500. That was a lot worse in my opinion. Plus, Bell, Hocevar, and Kyle Larson certainly looked like they would have put up an interesting photo finish.
The finish is under review! 👀 pic.twitter.com/0aw3hIFyjC
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 23, 2025
All I can say is NASCAR, ya did it again, you keep causing more nonsense controversies. Let them race back to the line.
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Featured Image Credit: Chris Graythen, Getty Images. 2/23/2025
