Bell Wins Atlanta in Overtime, Hocevar 2nd, Larson 3rd. Blaney holds P1 in GFT AI Driver Rankings
23 February 2025
By Bob Francis, Managing Editor
Go Full Throttle Racing News
HAMPTON, GA — The Ambetter Health 400 showcased the unpredictable nature of Atlanta’s 1.54-mile superspeedway-style track, with 38 lead changes among 17 drivers across 267 laps (seven more than the scheduled 260 due to overtime). The race saw intense pack racing, strategic drafting, and nine cautions, including a dramatic multi-car wreck on the final lap that sealed the outcome. Christopher Bell emerged victorious, leading only the final lap after a bold move in overtime, marking his seventh career win and his first of the 2025 season.
The race kicked off with a chaotic start, as a 14-car pileup on Lap 2 — the largest single incident in Atlanta’s Cup Series history — disrupted the field early. Drivers like Daniel Suárez, Tyler Reddick, and Alex Bowman sustained damage but recovered to varying degrees, while others, including Austin Dillon, faced setbacks but clawed back through strategy. Green-flag pit stops in Stage 2 added further complexity, with incidents like Michael McDowell’s collision with William Byron costing both drivers valuable track positions.
Stage 1 saw Ford dominate with Josh Berry claiming the stage win, while Kyle Larson took Stage 2, leading 36 laps and showcasing his strength in the middle portion. The final stage intensified with multiple restarts, and a late caution with five laps remaining set up a two-lap overtime shootout. Bell, restarting ninth, capitalized on a massive push from Chase Elliott off Turn 4, surged to the lead exiting Turn 2 on the final lap, and held off Carson Hocevar and Larson when a crash behind them triggered the ninth caution, freezing the field.
Key Breakthroughs
- Christopher Bell’s Clutch Overtime Move: Bell’s last-lap pass in overtime underscored his ability to seizing critical moments, a skill that could prove pivotal in the championship hunt. His win from a ninth-place restart highlighted his drafting prowess and composure under pressure.
- Carson Hocevar’s Emergence: The 22-year-old Spire Motorsports driver secured a career-best second-place finish, leading 11 laps and nearly stealing the win. His performance signals a breakout potential for 2025, elevating Spire’s profile after a strong showing.
- Early Season Chaos as a Leveler: The Lap 2 wreck and subsequent cautions shuffled the field, allowing damaged cars like Suárez’s (finished seventh) to recover, while others, like Byron (17th after leading 15 laps), struggled to rebound. This unpredictability could shape early points battles.
Top Performers
- Christopher Bell (Winner): Led 1 lap but made it count, leveraging teamwork with Elliott to secure the victory. His playoff berth is already locked, giving him momentum toward a title run.
- Carson Hocevar (2nd): Led 11 laps and was in contention until the final caution, marking him as a rising star to watch.
- Kyle Larson (3rd): Led 36 laps, won Stage 2, and finished third, reinforcing his consistency as a championship favorite.
SUMMARY
The Ambetter Health 400 with Bell’s win and Hocevar’s breakout suggests a season of tight battles, while Blaney’s consistency keeps him a benchmark. The championship fight is already heating up as the series heads to Austin for road racing on the famed F1 Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on March 2.
