{"id":49833,"date":"2025-02-23T19:56:31","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T01:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=49833"},"modified":"2025-02-23T20:52:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T02:52:46","slug":"christopher-bell-snatches-first-cup-atlanta-win-in-wild-overtime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/23\/christopher-bell-snatches-first-cup-atlanta-win-in-wild-overtime\/","title":{"rendered":"Christopher Bell snatches first Cup Atlanta win in wild overtime"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 DEWALT Toyota, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

HAMPTON, Ga. \u2013 Christopher Bell prevailed in overtime to claim the victory in Sunday\u2019s Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway – officially leading only the final lap and getting the photo nod in a three-wide run as a caution flag came out on the last lap to end the NASCAR Cup Series race.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 DEWALT Toyota, takes the checkered flag under caution to win ahead of Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Delaware Life Chevrolet, and Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendirickCars.com Chevrolet, in the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

It marks the second year that this race featured a three-wide run to the checkered flag. This time Bell got the nod out front over second-year driver Carson Hocevar and 2021 series champion Kyle Larson as the final caution flag flew. It was the 30-year old Oklahoma native Bell\u2019s 10th career series victory and first on a drafting-type track like Atlanta, Daytona or Talladega, Ala. It also marked the first victory for Joe Gibbs Racing since June of last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell you what, that right there is what you dream of,” an elated Bell said afterward. \u201cTo be able to re-start on the first or second row on a re-start at a speedway you never know how those things are going to play out.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 DEWALT Toyota, crosses the finish line to win under caution ahead of Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Delaware Life Chevrolet, and Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendirickCars.com Chevrolet, in the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cBut,” he added looking directly into the FOX television cameras with a huge smile, \u201cI\u2019ll be the first to tell you, \u2018I love superspeedways.\u2019 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,” he conceded, \u201cbut this style of racing has always been a little bit of a struggle for me. Throughout the beginning of the day, obviously today we were just stuck way in the back. But [crew chief] Adam [Stevens] and these boys just did an incredible job of getting this thing fixed up so I could just hold my foot down and you\u2019ve got to be able to just stay in the throttle and that last half of the race we ran our best.”<\/p>\n

Despite his near-miss third-place showing, Larson was pleased with the finish. He\u2019s 0-for-48 in speedway-type races, including 16 previous DNFs. So all said, it was a successful, if eventful, day. He had contact with one of the race\u2019s strongest cars, Austin Cindric\u2019s No. 2 Team Penske with three laps remaining to make the overtime finish necessary, but led 12 laps.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 DEWALT Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Hocevar\u2019s runner-up finish was a career high mark for the 22-year old driver of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet.<\/p>\n

However, shortly after the young Californian climbed out of his car, he was confronted post-race by both Ross Chastain and former series champ Ryan Blaney in separate discussions. Although Chastain refused to share what was said, Blaney confirmed he suggested to Hocevar to work on his decision making.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just said, \u2018Hey, you got to calm down. I told him a couple moves he made earlier in the race that were really, really sketchy,” said Blaney, who rallied to a fourth-place finish after being spun out after contact with Hocevar with 27 laps remaining.<\/p>\n

\"\"

William Byron, driver of the #24 Liberty University Chevrolet, Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 DEWALT Toyota, and Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Xfinity Mobile Toyota, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cObviously, me getting spun. He should know better than to hit me in that spot. He can\u2019t just run into my bumper as I\u2019m turning into a corner. I\u2019m going to wreck. So, I just told him you got to calm down. You got a lot of talent, but you got to be a little bit easier in this certain moment. Be smarter.”<\/p>\n

Hocevar, who also said he preferred to keep the two conversations with his veteran competitors to himself, but immediately offered an apology for any contact with Larson on the final lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t realize we weren\u2019t racing back to the line,” he said of the last lap fender-rub with Larson, adding, \u201cSome stuff I\u2019ve got to learn and clean up a little bit, but I feel like we put ourselves in a perfect opportunity to win a race and I\u2019ve never really had that opportunity before, especially on super speedways. So, thanks to everybody at Spire Motorsports.”<\/p>\n

\"\"

Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, leads the field during the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Certainly, the early portion of the race was dominated by the Ford contingent, which included 10 of the top 11 qualifiers including Blaney\u2019s pole position in the No. 12 Team Penske Ford. Blaney\u2019s teammate, reigning series champion Joey Logano led a race best 83 laps \u2013 the second time in as many races this season he out-paced the field, but finished 12th.<\/p>\n

Fords led all but one of the first 140 laps. Ultimately, however, pit strategy and manufacturer alliances \u2013 at least early in the race \u2013 gave way to late race push and better handle on the cars for the rest of the competition.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Moose Fraternity Chevrolet, and Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

The final yellow flag flew to end the race when Josh Berry \u2013 who won Stage 1 – Justin Haley and Ryan Preece collided on the backstretch during overtime.<\/p>\n

HYAK Motorsports\u2019 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished fifth, followed by Denny Hamlin, a strong showing for the veteran who like his JGR teammates all started 25th or worse on the grid.<\/p>\n

Richard Childress Racing\u2019s Kyle Busch was the only one of three cars (also Blaney and defending race winner Daniel Suarez) in last year\u2019s three-wide photo finish not to be collected in an accident. The two-time series champion finished seventh, followed by Trackhouse Racing\u2019s Ross Chastain, 23XI Racing\u2019s Bubba Wallace, and Legacy Motor Club\u2019s John Hunter Nemechek, who scored his second top-10 finish in as many races this year \u2013 already half of his single season high in two previous fulltime seasons at the NASCAR Cup Series level.<\/p>\n

With his fourth place showing Sunday, Blaney now leads the championship by 12 points over DAYTONA 500 winner, Hendrick Motorsports\u2019 William Byron. Kaulig Racing\u2019s A.J. Allmendinger set the Fastest Lap of the race.<\/p>\n

The NASCAR Cup Series heads west for its first road course race of the season, the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix next Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Byron is the defending race winner at Circuit of The Americas.<\/p>\n

Interviews:<\/h3>\n

NCS Race Winning Team – Adam Stevens, Joe Gibbs, Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) –<\/p>\n

Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) –<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/NCSAMS1BillyGibbonsGrandMarshal22325.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Tom Meents (Monster Jam) –<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/NCSAMSCoreyHeim23XI022325.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

23XI Team Availability – Corey Heim –<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/NCSAMS123XICoreyHeim22325.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

NASCAR Cup Series Race – Ambetter Health 400<\/b><\/p>\n

Atlanta Motor Speedway<\/b><\/p>\n

Hampton, Georgia<\/b><\/p>\n

Sunday, February 23, 2025<\/b><\/p>\n

                1. (32)  Christopher Bell, Toyota, 266.<\/p>\n

                2. (26)  Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet, 266.<\/p>\n

                3. (17)  Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 266.<\/p>\n

                4. (1)  Ryan Blaney, Ford, 266.<\/p>\n

                5. (34)  Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, 266.<\/p>\n

                6. (37)  Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 266.<\/p>\n

                7. (6)  Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 266.<\/p>\n

                8. (33)  Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 266.<\/p>\n

                9. (14)  Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 266.<\/p>\n

                10. (22)  John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota, 266.<\/p>\n

                11. (7)  Zane Smith, Ford, 266.<\/p>\n

                12. (4)  Joey Logano, Ford, 266.<\/p>\n

                13. (24)  Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 266.<\/p>\n

                14. (12)  AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 266.<\/p>\n

                15. (5)  Todd Gilliland, Ford, 266.<\/p>\n

                16. (15)  Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 266.<\/p>\n

                17. (27)  Riley Herbst #, Toyota, 266.<\/p>\n

                18. (11)  Ryan Preece, Ford, 266.<\/p>\n

                19. (18)  Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 266.<\/p>\n

                20. (19)  Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 266.<\/p>\n

                21. (25)  Chase Briscoe, Toyota, 266.<\/p>\n

                22. (38)  BJ McLeod(i), Chevrolet, 266.<\/p>\n

                23. (30)  Shane Van Gisbergen #, Chevrolet, 266.<\/p>\n

                24. (21)  Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 266.<\/p>\n

                25. (3)  Josh Berry, Ford, Accident, 265.<\/p>\n

                26. (13)  Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 265.<\/p>\n

                27. (16)  William Byron, Chevrolet, 263.<\/p>\n

                28. (2)  Austin Cindric, Ford, 257.<\/p>\n

                29. (20)  Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 242.<\/p>\n

                30. (8)  Chris Buescher, Ford, 240.<\/p>\n

                31. (28)  Erik Jones, Toyota, 240.<\/p>\n

                32. (36)  Ty Gibbs, Toyota, Accident, 201.<\/p>\n

                33. (29)  Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, Accident, 183.<\/p>\n

                34. (10)  Noah Gragson, Ford, Accident, 183.<\/p>\n

                35. (31)  Cody Ware, Ford, Accident, 183.<\/p>\n

                36. (23)  Cole Custer, Ford, Accident, 183.<\/p>\n

                37. (39)  JJ Yeley, Chevrolet, Accident, 183.<\/p>\n

                38. (35)  Corey LaJoie, Ford, Accident, 149.<\/p>\n

                39. (9)  Brad Keselowski, Ford, Accident, 149.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  118.384 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  3 Hrs, 27 Mins, 37 Secs. Margin of Victory:  Under Caution Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  11 for 63 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  50 among 15 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   R. Blaney 0;A. Cindric 1-23;T. Gilliland 24-25;A. Cindric 26-32;J. Berry 33-42;T. Gilliland 43;J. Berry 44-63;C. Ware 64;J. Logano 65-67;J. Berry 68;J. Logano 69-84;*. McLeod(i) 85;J. Logano 86-91;T. Gilliland 92;J. Logano 93-94;T. Gilliland 95-96;J. Logano 97-107;T. Gilliland 108;J. Logano 109-140;A. Bowman 141-143;J. Logano 144-146;A. Bowman 147;J. Logano 148-157;A. Bowman 158-159;K. Larson 160-163;C. Briscoe 164-168;R. Chastain 169-180;S. Van Gisbergen # 181;R. Chastain 182-188;S. Van Gisbergen # 189;K. Busch 190-192;W. Byron 193-198;K. Busch 199;J. Berry 200-212;K. Busch 213;J. Berry 214;K. Busch 215-217;R. Chastain 218;K. Busch 219-223;R. Blaney 224;R. Chastain 225-226;J. Berry 227-229;R. Chastain 230;J. Berry 231-238;R. Chastain 239;K. Larson 240;A. Cindric 241-257;K. Larson 258-263;R. Chastain 264;K. Larson 265;C. Bell 266.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Joey Logano 8 times for 83 laps; Josh Berry 7 times for 56 laps; Austin Cindric 3 times for 47 laps; Ross Chastain 7 times for 25 laps; Kyle Busch 5 times for 13 laps; Kyle Larson 4 times for 12 laps; Todd Gilliland 5 times for 7 laps; Alex Bowman 3 times for 6 laps; William Byron 1 time for 6 laps; Chase Briscoe 1 time for 5 laps; Shane Van Gisbergen # 2 times for 2 laps; Cody Ware 1 time for 1 lap; * BJ McLeod(i) 1 time for 1 lap; Ryan Blaney 1 time for 1 lap; Christopher Bell 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 21,2,24,23,9,45,34,12,77,22<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 5,23,22,24,48,45,77,47,2,4<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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