NASCAR Ambetter Health 400 takeaways: Same old story for one manufacturer after dominant performance

Here are five takeaways from the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta:

Bell only leads last lap, spoils Ford’s dominance

After placing outside the top 20 in both stages, Bell was scored just in front of Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson when the caution flag flew on the final lap to get his 10th career Cup Series win.

While Bell led only the final lap, he managed to work his way toward the front and stay out of harm’s way. After getting caught up in the Lap 186 “Big One” at Daytona while running up front, Bell steered clear of the mess in the closing laps on Sunday to reverse course from one week earlier.

History-making day for Atlanta

Sunday marked the seventh Cup Series race on the reconfigured Atlanta surface while the series has raced at the track since 1960. With the frequent slingshot moves and daring three-wide passes drivers pulled off, Sunday’s race featured a track record of 50 lead changes.

Daytona and Talladega have long been the two tracks on the Cup Series schedule with constant lead changes and jockeying for position. After another entertaining race on the reconfigured Atlanta surface, the track continues to put on a great show and create thrilling racing for the lead and throughout the field.

Larson nearly ends superspeedway drought

Coming into Sunday, all the talk was centered around Larson’s struggles when it comes to this type of racing. After all, he was 0-of-48 at superspeedways entering the race and typically ends up on the wrecker after crashing out.

With a third-place finish on Sunday and in position to win his first superspeedway race, Larson fell short. Perhaps his chances of winning the race would have been better had the caution not come out. Still, Larson grabbed a Stage 2 win — his first stage win on a superspeedway in his career — and at least proved that he can finish these races when everything aligns.

Fords unable to capitalize on speed once again

For the second straight week, the Blue Ovals had dominant speed and appeared to be in position to avenge last week’s Daytona 500 disappointment. Although Josh Berry won Stage 1 and led 56 laps, he was collected in the final lap crash and had nothing to show for it with a 25th-place finish.

While Ryan Blaney won the pole and Joey Logano led 83 laps, it was Austin Cindric once again in position to win until he and Daytona 500 winner William Byron got together off Turn 2 and spun into the inside wall.

Cindric ran out of room and was forced into the outside wall after Larson crowded him up the track, leaving the driver of the No. 2 Ford — leader of 47 laps — to retire in 28th. Much like Daytona, the Fords, especially Cindric, are left frustrated and empty-handed after showcasing dominant speed.

Hocevar turns in career-best finish despite not making any friends

It was a career day for Hocevar at Atlanta, but if you looked at the drivers coming over to chat with him afterward, you would think otherwise. Ross Chastain and Blaney each approached the second-year Cup Series driver after the race following some aggressive on-track moves.

Hocevar got into the back bumper of Blaney entering Turn 1 and left the 2023 Cup Series champion frustrated on the radio.

Tracks like Atlanta tend to reward aggression because of the massive runs that are generated in the pack. However, as Hocevar tries to prove himself and earn respect after some questionable decisions last season and in his Truck Series career, he is going to be looked at differently than most drivers.

If he keeps putting himself toward the front, though, a win may not be too far off for Hocevar.