The NASCAR season got off to an incredible start with William Byron claiming victory in the 2024 Daytona 500. Next up, NASCAR heads to Atlanta for the 2024 Ambetter Health 400.
With his win at Daytona, Byron has locked himself into the playoffs. Will another driver join him or can Byron win back-to-back races to start the season?
2024 Ambetter Health 400 Entry List
Kaz Grala moves over to the #15 Rick Ware Racing entry for this week after racing for Front Row in the #36. Xfinity regular Josh Williams steps into the #16 for Kaulig Racing, replacing his teammate AJ Allmendinger this week. Williams and Grala represent the only significant changes from last week with Jimmie Johnson and Anthony Alfredo running partial schedules and not racing at Atlanta after running at Daytona last week.
AMBETTER HEALTH 400 COMING UP THIS WEEKEND!
— Jay Arnold (@CoachJayArnold) February 23, 2024
Talking a little bit about what to expect from Atlanta on Sunday pic.twitter.com/N60608b5c7
In Atlanta, NASCAR fans can expect similar racing to Daytona, with this reconfigured version of AMS running similarly to a superspeedway. However, I do believe that handling will play more of a role at Atlanta compared to Daytona – especially late in the runs with tire wear. As the surface of the track continues to age in Georgia, expect Atlanta Motor Speedway to run less and less like a drafting-style track and more like a classic 1.5-mile circuit.
Race Odds and Predictions
With that being said, I think we’re a few years away from that being the case so expect the usual cast of characters at superspeedway to run near the front. Joey Logano holds the distinction of being the favorite to win at +900. Not only did Logano have the car to beat at Daytona before being caught up in the Big One, but he also won the spring race at Atlanta in 2023.
Talking some of the favorites for this weekend in the Ambetter Health 400 from Atlanta pic.twitter.com/1SofrJCZBh
— Jay Arnold (@CoachJayArnold) February 23, 2024
Chase Elliott comes in just behind Logano at +1000. The second-generation driver from Dawsonville considers Atlanta his hometown track and holds a past Atlanta Victory of his own from 2022.
Among the other drivers to watch, both Denny Hamlin (+140 to finish top five) and Bubba Wallace (+200 to finish top five) deserve consideration. If you want a longshot, again consider Corey LaJoie at +2800 as the #7 often ends up near the front at drafting-style tracks.
Check out the schedule below so you don’t miss any on-track action from Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Friday 02/23
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying – 2:05 p.m. CT on FS1
NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying – 3:35 p.m. CT on FS1
Saturday 02/24
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – 10:30 a.m. CT on FS1
Fr8 208 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) – 2:00 p.m. CT on FS1
RAPTOR King of Tough 250 (NASCAR Xfinity Series) – 4:00 p.m. CT on FS1
Sunday 02/25
Ambetter Health 400 (NASCAR Cup Series) – 2:00 p.m. CT on FOX
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