Key Takeaways: Winners and Losers from the Exciting NASCAR Cup Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway

HAMPTON, Ga. — Let’s break down the winners and losers from Sunday’s thrilling Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

WINNERS

Christopher Bell scored a fantastic victory, leading just one lap — but it was the most important one. This win marks his 10th career Cup win and the first for Joe Gibbs Racing since last June. Bell expressed relief, saying, “I am glad we don’t have to hear that. ‘Joe Gibbs Racing has not won since June.’ I’m very happy to end that narrative.”

The race was tight, with Bell narrowly beating out Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson at the finish line.

Carson Hocevar finished second, achieving his best result in the Cup series despite some criticism from other drivers about his aggressive racing. He made headlines with a bold statement: “We’re here to win races, not be a boy band and love each other and play on the playground together.” This attitude certainly stirred the pot among the veterans.

Kyle Larson rebounded from a rough streak at Atlanta, where he had struggled in previous races. Finished in third place and even won a stage, making it a successful outing for him.

Ryan Blaney and John Hunter Nemechek continued their strong starts to the season. Blaney placed seventh in the Daytona 500 and fourth at Atlanta, while Nemechek secured fifth in Daytona and tenth in Atlanta. Both have consistently finished in the top 10 so far this season.

Another highlight was NASCAR’s exciting competition. The race featured a record-breaking 50 lead changes and the top 10 drivers came from nine different teams, showcasing the diversity of talent in the sport.

LOSERS

Brad Keselowski faced a rough start to the season, caught in wrecks during both of the first two points races. He finished 26th at Daytona and dropped to 39th at Atlanta, placing him 33rd in points overall.

Corey LaJoie was also struggling. After a promising run late in the Daytona 500, he ended up 22nd due to a crash. His luck didn’t change at Atlanta, where another wreck left him in 38th place. LaJoie is working on a limited schedule, and these races were among his best chances for a strong finish.

Daniel Suarez, last year’s winner of this race, didn’t find the same luck this time. He was taken out in a crash and struggled to finish, ending in 33rd place.