EchoPark Speedway, which to many is still Atlanta, has quickly become the best drafting track on the NASCAR circuit. Saturday night’s Quaker State 400 once again proved that, as the race saw a lap last pass for the win, and a hometown hero back in victory lane.
Chase Elliott Cashes in on Emotional Night in Atlanta
Despite having plenty of doubt cast around his drive, and if he still has it in the NASCAR Cup Series these days. NASCAR’s most popular driver silenced a lot of critics on Saturday night. The most special thing you can do in racing is to win at your home track, and Chase was able to do just that for the second time in his career. It was quite an emotional night, to say the least, after the checkered flag flew.
Some Things Are Bigger Than the Racing Itself
Elliott has carried a special paint scheme for the past nine seasons at one race each year. That occurs thanks to the Chase Elliott Foundation’s initiative called “DESI9N TO Drive”. Which is when a pediatric cancer patient gets the opportunity to design Chase’s paint scheme and firesuit.
This year was quite special as Rhealynn Mills, an 11-year-old cancer patient at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, not only designed an awesome scheme, but she also got to be at the race and witnessed something simply unforgettable.
It was simply a surreal moment, and it made things quite emotional, especially with Elliott winning at his home track. It simply proves that some things are bigger than the sport itself.
Elliott, who is typically reserved in post-race interviews, was full of emotion after climbing from his No. 9 Chevy.
Chase Elliott Survives the Big One
The racing was entertaining throughout the 400-mile race. There was plenty of passing. In total, 13 different drivers held the lead during the race. But that doesn’t account for the number of passes made upfront.
It certainly didn’t seem like the race was going to play out well because of the rain, but following a slight rain delay, the action heated up quickly during the first two stanzas of the race.
Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney started the craziness of wrecks on lap 57. Both made significant contact with the wall and were completely knocked out of contention. The incident off turn four certainly could have easily collected plenty more cars. If that incident wasn’t enough. A massive wreck, less than 20 laps later, took that incident out of my mind entirely.
Denny Hamlin got turned in front of nearly everyone, and it proved to be probably the biggest wreck in the history of Atlanta. The wreck saw, probably every race winner on the season to that point, was involved. Hamlin, Joey Logano, William Byron, and Pocono winner Chase Briscoe were all out of the race following “The Big One”.
Chaos in Atlanta! 👀 pic.twitter.com/8eBVTo8L2J
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 29, 2025
It’s a wreck that will be remembered for a while, not to mention what it did to the in-season tournament bracket.
NASCAR Madness Is For Real
For the kick-off race or the in-season tournament, it wasn’t a good day for the favorites in the field. Hamlin came in as the top seed, and leaves eliminated after the first round. Ty Dillon, who moves on, certainly wasn’t afraid to let him know, following the race. Dillon used Hamlin’s famed ‘I beat your favorite driver’ phrase back at him. It turned into a real viral moment on social media following the race.
It further proved that if you create a March Madness-like event in another sport, you’re going to get the madness. It’s clear drivers like Chris Buescher and race winner Chase Elliott sure look to be in the catbird seat in the in-season tournament. One thing is for sure: Elliott’s last lap pass of Brad Keselowski and all of the entertaining action from EchoPark Speedway are going to continue to bump this track up the list of must-see.
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Main Photo: Sean Gardner, Getty Images
Recording Date: 6/30/2025
