After a tumultuous week that saw NASCAR levying over half a million dollars in fines and devastating the playoff hopes of three teams, the drivers are ready to hit the track for some racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway with the Ambetter Health 400.

While rain washed out qualifying for the Craftsman Truck and Xfinity Series, the inspection process for the Cup Series went on.  Several teams failed the first trip through the inspection process but made it through the second time with no issue; however, the number eight Richard Childress Chevrolet driven by Kyle Busch failed for a second time and will lose one of his crew members for the weekend and his choice of pit stall.

Tony Stewart returns to join Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer in the FOX broadcast booth this weekend.

Between Covid and bad weather, this is the first time the cars have made qualifying runs at Atlanta since 2019.

In a safety measure, NASCAR is requiring the drivers to make a stop to test the brakes before getting out on the track to qualify.

On a cold (43 degree) morning with some stiff winds, BJ McLeod is the first driver on the track to make a qualifying run and spins out when he hits the dust on his build up to speed lap.  He saves the car.

Only 36 teams brought cars to Atlanta so BJ McLeod will be able to make the race.

After McLeod’s spin, NASCAR holds up qualifying to check out the track.

The track cleared, Todd Gilliland makes a qualifying run and posts a time of 31.696 seconds.

Several of the drivers are having issues making their qualifying runs; Ty Gibbs gets into the wall with a loose car.

This week the drivers have not been divided into two groups but are qualifying as one big group.  The top 10 drivers will move on to a second round of qualifying to determine who sits on the pole.

Chevrolet has dominated when it comes to race wins so far this season, winning all four races; but at Atlanta, the Fords are dominating qualifying with Ford occupying all but two of the top 10 spots belonging to Ford.

The 10drivers who will move on to round two of qualifying and make a run for the pole are:
Ryan Blaney
Joey Logano
Aric Almirola
Brad Keselowski
Chris Buescher
Chase Briscoe
Christopher Bell
Kyle Larson
Austin Cindric
Kevin Harvick

Christopher Bell spins out during his second qualifying run but saved the car from the wall after getting into the dust at the top of the track.

It’s an all Team Penske front row with Joey Logano on the pole after posting a time of 31.256 seconds; Austin Cindric will start alongside on the front row.

Ford has car in the first eight spots; a feat that has not happened since 1965.

The starting lineup for the Ambetter Health 400:
Joey Logano
Austin Cindric
Ryan Blaney
Brad Keselowski
Aric Almirola
Kevin Harvick
Chris Buescher
Chase Briscoe
Kyle Larson
Christopher Bell
William Byron
Michael McDowell
Austin Dillon
Denny Hamlin
Alex Bowman
Tyler Reddick
Kyle Busch
Ross Chastain
Bubba Wallace
Justin Haley
Josh Berry
Noah Gragson
Todd Gilliland
Ryan Preece
Daniel Suarez
Ty Dillon
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Erik Jones
Martin Truex Jr
AJ Allmendinger
Cody Ware
Harrison Burton
JJ Yeley
Ty Gibbs
BJ McLeod

After saying that he would not appeal his $50,000 and 25 point penalty, Denny Hamlin has decided to appeal; saying that if NASCAR was going to issue a penalty, it should have been on race day, not three days later.  He compared it to issuing a pass interference penalty the day after it occurred.

Hamlin also offered to pay any fine issued to Josh Williams after the Xfinity Series driver was told by NASCAR to park the car…and he did on the start/finish line and left it there, walking to the garage. The team expects to get a penalty next week.  Williams had been involved in a wreck that caused some damage to his car.  At 50 degrees in Atlanta, it was cold enough that the barebond (200 mile an hour tape) would not stick and came loose and flying off of the car.  NASCAR cited Williams for extending the caution and told him to park the car.

Stage one of the race is 60 laps with stages two and three lasting 100 laps for a total of 260 laps around the mile and a half track.  Drivers can run about 70 laps on a single load of fuel which means stage one is the only stage the drivers can run on a single load of fuel.

With the reconfigured track, NASCAR has moved the entrance to pit road adding some significant distance to pit road.  If a driver has to make a green flag pit stop, he will lose two laps.

ON a chilly Sunday afternoon (44 degrees) Joey Logano brings the field down for the green flag start of the race from the outside lane and quickly jumps out in front for the lead.

Team Penske go 1-2-3 with Joey Logano leading the way.

Lap three, Joey Logano leads the race  with Austin Cindric in second; Ryan Blaney, Bread Keselowski, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.

Lap six, Joey Logano continues to lead the parade of cars with Austin Cindric in second; Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Aric Almirola round out the top five.  Most of the drivers are single file.

Tony Stewart notes that the reason the owners asked not to have practice sessions was due to cost; saying that with hotels and all of the expenses it costs a lot of money to the teams.

Bubba Wallace brings out the first caution flag of the race when he gets loose and into the wall; then gets stuck and needs a push to get going.

Some of the drivers come down pit road for adjustments.

During the driver’s meeting, NASCAR announced that the “crash clock” – damaged vehicle policy – will be extended to eight minutes due to the length of pit road.

Joey Logano brings the field down for the green flag restart from the out side lane with Brad Keselowski on the inside on lap 16.  Joey Logano gets out in front after a push form teammate Austin Cindric.

Ryan Preece had to restart the race from the back of the field after he had pit crew members come over the wall too soon.  Bubba Wallace came down pit road before it was open and also restarts from the back of the field.

Tyler Reddick is in the car but not feeling well, John Hunter Nemechek is on standby if needed.

Lap 19, Joey Logano leads the race with Austin Cindric in second; Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.

After issues during qualifying, Christopher Bell had to start the race from the back of the field instead of the 10th place spot where he qualified.

Lap 22, Joey Logano has led every lap so far with Denny Hamlin in second; Austin Cindric, Kyle Larson, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.

The drivers are running three wide on a track that is 10 feet narrower after the reconfiguration.

Lap 29, Joey Logano continues to lead the race with Austin Cindric in second; Bubba Wallace is the only driver not on the lead lap – he is two laps down after crash repairs.

Lap 32, the top five are Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Denny Hamlin.

Kyle Busch had reported to his crew during the caution that the cold weather was affecting tire grip; he has worked his way into the top 10.

After starting the race from the back of the field, Christopher Bell, is just outside the top 10 in eleventh.

The number 14 car of Chase Briscoe has lost 19 spots since race start and struggling.

Lap 38, the Team Penske cars are still 1-2-3 with Joey Logano leading the way.

Lap 46, Joey Logano still leads the race with Austin Cindric in second; Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.  Kyle Busch is the first Chevrolet in seventh place.

Kyle Larson has made a few attempts to move up through the field but with the cars single file, he has not been able to find any gaps.

Ten laps remain in stage one; Joey Logano has led every lap so far with teammate Austin Cindric right behind him; Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five. 

With two laps remaining in stage one, the drivers have begun to get double file in a battle for position.

After leading every lap, Joey Logano wins stage one.  This is his first stage win of 2023.

The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Joey Logano
Austin Cindric
Brad Keselowski
Ryan Blaney
Denny Hamlin
Christopher Bell
Kyle Busch
Chris Buescher
Daniel Suarez
Martin Truex Jr

All of the drivers come down pit road for service.  With a stage of 100 laps, they will all have to make a stop for fuel during the stage.

Kyle Busch wins the race off of pit road; however, he has received a number of penalties for speeding this season.  Busch is good on time but there is a question as to whether he has a full load of fuel after a timed stop.

Kyle Larson barely avoided a penalty when he was leaving pit road, the fuel pump was still attached.  The crew managed to get it out before Larson left his pit box.

Kyle Busch brings the field down for the green flag star tof stage two on lap 68 with Brad Keselowski alongside.  Brad Keselowski got out in front initially but Kyle Busch comes back on the outside to take the lead with Ryan Blaney in second.

Lap 69, the top five are Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, and Austin Cindric.

Lap 70 Ryan Blaney passes Kyle Busch for the lead.

Lap 71, Joey Logano comes up in the inside to battle for the lead; Kyle Busch comes down on the inside ht battle with Ryan Blaney for the lead.

The drivers are double file again.

Lap 74, still double file, Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch are side by side in a battle for the lead.

Lap 75, Kyle Busch is back in front again with Ryan Blaney in second.

Lap 76, Joey Logano moves to battle with Kyle Busch for the lead.  Lap 77 Logano is back in front.

Lap 78, the top five are Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr, Brad Keselowski.

Crew chief for Kyle Busch Andy Pietrie reports that they are about two gallons shy of a full load.  Being in second place, Kyle Busch is not using as mjuch fuel as the lead.

Lap 89, Joey Logano leads the race with Kyle Busch in second; Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Chris Buescher round out the top five.

Lap93, Joey Logano continues to dominate the race lead with kyle Busch in second; Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Chris Buescher round out the top five as the drivers are once again single file.

Ryan Preece has gone a lap down with voltage issues; Bubba Wallace is the only other car not on the lead lap and is two laps down after hitting the wall.

Lap 102, Joey Logano continues to lead the pac with Kyle Busch in second.

Lap 106, the top five are Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Chris Buescher.

There are only four seconds separating the top 30 drivers.

Lap 116, Joey Logano is dominating the race, leading the race with Kyle Busch in second; Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Chris Buescher rounding out the top five.  The drivers are single file with little movement.

Lap 121, it’s a 180 mile freight train with Joey Logano leading the way.

Logano approached some slower traffic, but the got single file and remain on the lead lap.

Austin Dillon had a bit of trouble on his pit stop as green flag pit stop begin.  Martin Truex Jr had no fuel pressure when he made his pit stop.

This is the first time the drivers have made a green flag pit stop under the new track configuration.

Lap 133, leader Joey Logano; along with his Team Penske teammates make their pit stops.  Pit road speed is just 45mph.  Chris Buescher is the new leader.

Ryan Blaney was caught speeding on pit road and will have to make a pass through penalty.

Lap 137, drivers continue to make their green flag pit stops as they come down four and five at a time.

Ryan Preece was charged with a commitment cone violation and Cody Ware had an uncontrolled tire.  Both drivers will have serve a pass through penalty.

Christopher Bell is the new leader after Chris Buescher has made his pit stop.

Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson are the only drivers yet to make a green flag pit stop.

Lap 141, Kyle Larson makes his green flag pit stop; leaving only Christopher Bell to make a pit stop.

Lap 142, Christopher Bell finally makes his green flag pit stop; pit stops have cycled through and Joey Logano retakes the lead.

Christopher Bell gets freight trained coming off pit road and ends up in 14th place.

Joey Logano has led 118 of the 143 laps run so far.

Lap 149, the top five are Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Chris Buescher.

Several drivers took fuel only during their pit stops including Tyler Reddick and William Byron who are now in the top five.

Austin Dillon did not get enough fuel and may be short before the end of the stage.

With four laps remaining in stage two, leader Joey Logano is approaching some slower traffic.

With a mad dash for stage points, Austin Cindric wins stage two.  Cindric, Joey Logano, and Tyler Reddick were in a three way battle for the lead.

The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Austin Cindric
Tyler Reddick
Joey Logano
Alex Bowman
William Byron
Chris Buescher
Denny Hamlin
Martin Truex Jr
Brad Keselowski
Corey LaJoie

Drivers come down pit road for service with Aric Almirola winning the race off of pit road after taking fuel only.

Chris Buescher was caught speeding on pit road and will have to restart the race from the back of the field.

Tyler Reddick has to make a second trip down pit road to fill the tank with fuel.  There was an issue filling the tank on his first trip down pit road.

There have only been 10 lead changes in today’s race with eight leaders.

Ty Gibbs and Austin Dillon made a second trip down pit road to top off the fuel tanks.

Aric Almirola brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three on lap 168 with Ricky Stenhouse Jr alongside.  Joey Logano gives Aric Almirola a big push but Ricky Stenhouse Jr gets a push and takes the lead.

Lap 172, Ricky Stenhouse Jr in a Chevrolet leads the race with William Byron in second; Aric Almirola, Denny Hamlin, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.  Joey Logano has dropped to eighth place.

Ricky Stenhouse is moving up and down trying to block the drivers behind him from passing.

Lap 176, Denny Hamlin takes the lead.  Drivers are getting three wide in the pack.

There are 83 laps remaining in the race; Denny Hamlin leads the race with Ricky Stenhouse in second; William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Aric Almirola round out the top five.  Joey Logano has fallen to 12th place.

Lap 189, Denny Hamlin leads the race but Kevin Harvick comes up to challenge for the lead; William Byron, Ross Chastain, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.  After leading 135 laps, Joey Logano is mired back in 20th place.

Kevin Harvick passes Denny Hamlin for the lead with 72 laps remaining in the race.

The caution flag comes out for a big crash with 71 laps to go,  Ross Chastain got into the back of Kevin Harvick and sent him spinning; catching up several cars.  Kyle Busch, Chris Buescher, Josh Berry, Harrison Burton, William Byron, Austin Dillon, Bubba Wallace, Ty Gibbs, and BJ McLeod were all involved.

Ryan Blaney is back on the lead lap after getting the “lucky dog”.

Upon further review, Ross Chastain barely touched Kevin Harvick, if at all; Harvick was loose.

Drivers come down pit road for service.  Ross Chastain is in the grass coming off pit road.  Denny Hamlin and Ty Dillon make contact on pit road getting into pit stalls.

There are now 26 cars on the lead lap.

Aric Almirola wins the race off of pit road after taking fuel only.  The top five are Aric Almirola, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Ross Chastain, and Tyler Reddick.

Martin Truex Jr and Josh Berry will restart the race from the back of the field after coming down pit road before it was open.

Aric Almirola brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 200 with Brad Keselowski alongside.  Getting a push from Kyle Larson, Aric Almirola takes the lead.

Aric Almirola leads the race with Kyle Larson in second; Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.

Kevin Harvick noted that he doesn’t think Ross Chastain actually hit him; saying that it was just a weird deal.

Ross Chastain is caught in the middle and is fall through the field.

Kevin Harvick, William Byron, Chris Buescher, BJ McLeod, and Harrison Burton are all out of the race after the crash.

The caution flag comes out on lap 209 after leader Aric Almirola blows a tires and spins in front of Kyle Larson who also crashes and spins, slamming into the wall.  Daniel Suarez, Tyler Reddick, and Justin Haley were also involved.  Almirola reports that he had the wind knocked out of him.

Brad Keselowski is the new leader.

Under caution, Brad Keselowski leads the race; Justin Haley, Tyler Reddick, Alex Bowman, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.

A few drivers come down pit road for service.

Chase Briscoe is the “lucky dog”.

Martin Truex Jr has been having a fueling issue.  The car fuels fine but is burning far more than it should.

Brad Keselowski bring the field down for the green flag restart with 44 laps remaining in the race.  Before the start of the race, Keselowski told FOX Sports reporters that he was going to win the race today.

Brad Keselowski gets out in front for the lead and immediately begins blocking the drivers behind him.

Brad Keselowski leads the race with Tyler Reddick in second; Alex Bowman, Christopher Bell, and Joey Logano round out the top five.

With 41 to go, Joey Logano comes up on the inside to challenge for the lead.  The Team Penske drivers have  gotten together up front again.

Just 37 laps to go, Brad Keselowski leads the race with Joey Logano in second; Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.

With 34 to, Joey Logano comes up on the inside to take the lead with Ryan Blaney in second; Brad Keselowski, Tyler Reddick, and Austin Cindric round out the top five.

With 32 to go, Brad Keselowski is on the outside and working to challenge Joey Logano for the lead.

Thirty to go, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano battle for the lead with Keselowski getting out in front.

With 27 laps to go, Brad Keselowski has the elad with Tyler Reddick in second; Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Joey Logano round out the top five.

Twenty-four to go, Brad Keselowski continues to lead the race with Tyler Reddick in second; but Joey Logano is moving up and looking to retake the lead; Christopher Bell, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.

Twenty to go, Brad Keselowski has the lead with Tyler Reddick holding on to second; Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.  Ty Gibbs slaps the wall but the track stays green.

With 17 laps to go, leader Brad Keselowski continues to block the drivers behind him.

Fifteen to go, Joey Logano has moved up to second place behind Brad Keselowski.

With 13 laps to go, Joey Logano is side by side the Brad Keselowski in a battle for the lead.

Ten to go, Brad Keselowski holds on to the lead but Joey Logano is battling to retake the lead; Tyler Reddick Ryan Blaney, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.

Leaders are approaching some slower traffic with just eight laps to go.

Six to go, Tyler Reddick gives Brad Keselowski a push to get him a little further out in front.

Four to go, Brad Keselowski holds on to the lead with Tyler Reddick in second; Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Joey Logano round out the top five.

Brad Keselowski takes the white flag.  It has been 66 races since Keselowski has won a race.

Joey Logano gets on the outside and takes the lead to win the race.  Brad Keselowski comes in second after Logano dominates the race.  This is Logano’s first Atlanta win.  As a child, he lived at the condos at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The unofficial results of the Ambetter Health 400:
Joey Logano
Brad Keselowski
Christopher Bell
Corey LaJoie
Tyler Reddick
Denny Hamlin
Ryan Blaney
Erik Jones
Ty Gibbs
Kyle Busch
Austin Cindric
Noah Gragson
Ross Chastain
Alex Bowman
Todd Gilliland
AJ Allmendinger
Josh Berry
Martin Truex Jr
Austin Dillon
Michael McDowell
Justin Haley
Ty Dillon
Chase Briscoe
Cody Ware
JJ Yeley
Bubba Wallace
Ryan Preece
Daniel Suarez
Aric Almirola
Kyle Larson
William Byron
Kevin Harvick
Harrison Burton
Chris Buescher
BJ McLeod