For the second week in a row, the Cup Series qualifies for a race with no practice. BJ McLeod is the first driver on the track to qualify for the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway and posted a time of 32.384 seconds around the mile and a half track.
Thirty-seven teams brought cars to Atlanta for the race; all of the drivers will run in the race.
The qualifying order was set by a combination of factors including point standings and finishing position in the Daytona 500.
Michael McDowell leads the pack after round one of qualifying with a time of 31.180 seconds.
The top 10 drivers to move on to round two of qualifying to set the pole are:
Michael McDowell
Joey Logano
Todd Gilliland
Austin Cindric
Chase Briscoe
Kyle Busch
Ryan Blaney
Austin Dillon
Chris Buescher
and Kyle Larson
First on the track for round two of qualifying is Kyle Larson with a time of 31.176 seconds.
With a time of 30.999, the only driver to break the 31 second mark, Michael McDowell puts his number 34 car on the pole for his first career pole after 466 race starts. With the positions swapped, for the second week in a row the front row is Michael McDowell and Joey Logano.
The starting lineup for the Ambetter Health 400:
Michael McDowell
Joey Logano
Kyle Busch
Todd Gilliland
Kyle Larson
Ryan Blaney
Chris Buescher
Austin Cindric
Chase Briscoe
Austin Dillon
William Byron
Martin Truex Jr
Denny Hamlin
Josh Berry
Noah Gragson
Harrison Burton
Alex Bowman
Bubba Wallace
Tyler Reddick
Ryan Preece
Ross Chastain
Christopher Bell
Daniel Suarez
Brad Keselowski
Ty Gibbs
Daniel Hemric
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Chase Elliott
Zane Smith
Josh Williams
Justin Haley
Corey LaJoie
Kaz Grala
John Hunter Nemechek
Carson Hocevar
BJ McLeod
Erik Jones
While there was no practice on the track, NASCAR did allow for some pit road entry practice after qualifying. Pit road speeds are like no other in the NASCAR circuit. Drivers must drop to 90mph on pit entry and once they reach the straightaway, speeds must be down to 45mph.
Chase Elliott will have to start the race from the back of the field after his crew made some unapproved adjustments to the car.
NASCAR has penalized Joey Logano for having unapproved safety gloves while making his qualifying run. Giving up a front row spot, Logano will not only start the race from the back of the field, but will have to serve a pass through penalty once the green flag drops. According to the NASCAR rule book, all drivers must have SFI approved protective gloves.
Stage one of the race is 60 laps long, stages two and three are 100 laps each for a total of 260 laps around the mile and a half track. The drivers can run around 70 laps on a single load of fuel.
AMS made a change to pit road last July. Pit entry is at turn three where pit road speed is 90mph; once the drivers reach pit road itself the speed drops to 45mph. The speed changes are under green flag conditions. Under the caution flag the speed limit is 45mph throughout pit road.
Michael McDowell brings the field down for the green flag start of the race on the outside lane. He goes side by side with Kyle Busch. Busch takes the lead briefly after a push from Kyle Larson. McDowell moves up to challenge Busch.
Lap two, Austin Dillon brings out the caution flag when he spins out and causes a big pile up. Martin Truex Jr makes contact with Austin Dillon that sends Dillon spinning. Chase Elliott, BJ McLeod, Josh Williams, Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, John Hunter Nemechek, Erik Jones, Alex Bowman, Noah Gragson, Carson Hocevar, Harrison Burton, Daniel Suarez, Daniel Hemric, Bubba Wallace, and Ryan Preece were all involved in the wreck.
Joey Logano was serving his pas through penalty as the on track melee ensued. Instead of being laps down, he is now in 20th place.
It was the biggest pile up in AMS history.
Kyle Busch brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap eleven and holds on to the lead with Kyle Larson in second.
Kyle Larson passes Kyle Busch for the lead but Busch shoots around Larson like he was standing still to retake the lead.
Lap 13 Kyle Busch leads the race with Chris Buescher in second; Kyle Larson, Michael McDowell, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five.
Christopher Bell has taken his car to the garage to make further repairs to his car.
Josh Williams is the only driver officially out of the race.
Lap 16 Kyle Larson takes the lead as the drivers do a lot of moving.
Lap 17, Kyle Busch again jumps down on the inside and retakes the lead.
Lap 19, Kyle Busch leads the race with Kyle Larson in second; Michael McDowell, Ryan Blaney, and Chris Buescher round out the top five.
Lap 21, it has been the Kyle show with Kyle Busch leading all but two laps; and those were led by Kyle Larson who has just retaken the lead.
Lap 26, Chris Buescher spins out to bring out the second caution flag of the race. He just misses hitting William Byron.
Several drivers come down pit road for adjustments.
Despite the melee that took up most of the field, there are 31 cars on the lead lap.
A number of drivers were issued penalties during their pit stops; Daniel Hemric had too many crew over the wall, Chris Buescher had a commitment line violation; Noah Gragson, Alex Bowman, Tyler Reddick, and Daniel Hemric pitted too soon; and John Hunter Nemechek had too many crew over the wall.
Ryan Blaney brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 32 with Kyle Larson alongside. Blaney has the lead. Kyle Larson moves up to take the lead.
The top 13 drivers have not made a pit stop.
Ryan Blaney retakes the lead on lap 33.
Lap 34, behind leader Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch jumps down to the bottom to take the lead.
Lap 35, the top five are Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, Michael McDowell, Kyle Larson, and Ross Chastain.
Lap 38, Kyle Busch leads the field with Ryan Blaney and Michael McDowell battling for second; Kyle Larson and Ross Chastain round out the top five.
There is a double line at the apron, that is the “no go” line. If a driver goes below the line and advances his position, he will have to serve a penalty.
Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch make contact in a battle for the lead but the track stays green.
Lap 46, Michael McDowell takes the lead with Kyle Larson in second; Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, and Ross Chastain round out the top five.
Christopher Bell has returned to the track but is 32 laps down.
Lap 51, Ryan Blaney takes the lead but Michael McDowell comes up to battle for the lead.
Denny Hamlin spins out on lap 53 to bring out the third caution flag of the race. Hamlin was in sixth place when he spun out and made a run through the grass. Kyle Busch and Hamlin made contact before Hamlin’s spin. The video showed that Busch attempted to slow up the car to try and avoid the contact.
Drivers back in the field short pit the end of the stage and come down pit road for service.
Alex Bowman, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Preece, Tyler Reddick, and John Hunter Nemechek were all penalized for pitting too soon.
Ryan Blaney brings the field down for the one lap shootout to the end of stage one with Michael McDowell alongside. McDowell edges out in front for the lead.
Michael McDowell wins stage one. This is McDowell’s third career stage win.
The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Michael McDowell
Ross Chastain
Ryan Blaney
Kyle Larson
Kyle Busch
Martin Truex Jr
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Todd Gilliland
Chase Briscoe
Bubba Wallace
Drivers who have not made a pit stop come down pit road; along with several others. Ross Chastain wins the race off of pit road. Kyle Busch had a long stop while the crew worked on the left front shock.
Todd Gilliland brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two with Joey Logano alongside on lap 69. Gilliland edges out in front for the lead from the inside lane.
The top five re Todd Gilliland, Joey Logano, Chris Buescher, Zane Smith, and Josh Berry.
Lap 73, Zane Smith got up against the wall but the track stays green. He brings his car down pit road.
Lap 75, Todd Gilliland has the lead with Joey Logano in second; Harrison Burton, Chris Buescher, ad Josh Berry round out the top five.
Noah Gragson is off the track.
Lap 78, after restarting the race back in the field, Michael McDowell has entered the top 10 and is just outside the top five.
Lap 80, after an extended stay on pit road, Kyle Busch has entered the top 20 in 19th.
Lap 81, the top five are Todd Gilliland, Joey Logano, Michael McDowell, Chris Buescher, and Denny Hamlin.
Lap 90, the first six drivers are in Fords with Todd Gilliland leading the way. He has led the most laps in his NASCAR career.
The top five are Todd Gilliland, Joey Logano, Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell, and Harrison Burton.
The “Hail Melon” is no longer legal, but it isn’t slowing Ross Chastain down. He is moving through the field and is up to12th place.
Noah Gragson and Zane Smith are out of the race.
Lap 96, Todd Gilliland continues to lead the race with Joey Logano in second.
Lap 98, Melon Man Ross Chaastain is now inside the top 10.
Lap 99, Joey Logano finally gets past Todd Gilliland for the lead.
Lap 102, drivers are getting three wide across the track.
Lap 103, Todd Gilliland battle with Joey Logano for the lead; swapping the lead back and forth.
Lap 111, there have been 20 lead changes so far with Joey Logano leading the pack; Todd Gilliland, Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, and Ross Chastain rounding out the top five.
Lap 116, Joey Logano continues to lead the race with Ryan Blaney in second; Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Lap 120, it has been some 60 laps since the drivers were last on pit road; pit stops will begin soon.
Lap 127, Joey Logano leads the race with Kyle Larson in second; Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, and Austin Cindric round out the top five.
Lap 128, Joey Logano makes his pit stop and gives the lead over to Kyle Larson as green flag pit stops begin. Some drivers are taking fuel only.
There are 27 cars on the lead lap.
As green flag pit stops continue, Brad Keselowski leads the race before making his pit stop. Kyle Larson is the new leader.
William Byron and Michael McDowell crash on the apron heading for pit road but the track stays green.
Ross Chastain and Josh Berry were caught speeding on pit road and will have to do a pass through penalty.
Bubba Wallace leads the race. He and Ryan Preece have yet to make a pit stop.
BJ McLeod was caught speeding on pit road.
Lap 139, Bubba Wallace makes his pit stop; as does Ryan Preece to complete green flag pit stops.
Austin Cindric is the new leader.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr was caught speeding on pit road.
Erik Jones had an uncontrolled tire on pit road.
Lap 141, Austin Cindric leads the race with Joey Logano in second; Ryan Blaney, Todd Gilliland, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.
Lap 145, Team Penske cars Austin Cindric, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney are 1-2-3 on the track
Josh Berry, Ross Chstain, Kyle Busch, Bubba Wallace, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, and BJ McLeod were all caught speeding on pit road. Berry was caught twice.
Lap 153, still leading the race, reports are that Austin Cindric is in fuel conservation mode.
There are only 22 cars on the lead lap after several drivers had to serve pass through penalties for speeding.
With just four laps remaining in stage two, Joey Logano battles with Austin Cindric for the lead.
Big wreck on the last lap of stage two. Austin Cindric wins stage two under caution.
The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Austin Cindric
Kyle Larson
Ryan Blaney
Daniel Suarez
Martin Truex Jr
Todd Gilliland
Brad Keselowski
Harrison Burton
Chase Briscoe
Chase Elliott
Chris Buescher gets into the wall after contact with Joey Logano; Denny Hamlin gets into them.
Drivers come down pit road for service with Todd Gilliland winning the race off of pit road; followed by Brad Keselowski.
There have been 28 lead changes so far.
Kyle Larson had to make a second trip down pit road duet to a tire issue – the tire wouldn’t come off.
Michael McDowell was charged with pitting outside of his pit box.
Todd Gilliland brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three on lap 171 with Brad Keselowski alongside. Gilliland gets out in front from the inside lane.
The top five are Todd Gilliland, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Martin Truex Jr.
Lap 174, Kyle Busch in 23rd is the first car one lap down.
Kaz Grala brings out the caution flag on lap 174 when he spins out. Kyle Busch is the “lucky dog”.
Drivers are outside their pit window to make it to the end of the race but some of them come down to top off the fuel. It will mean that closer to the end of the race, it will take less time to fill the car later.
Ty Gibbs was charged with driving through too many pit boxes on the way to his pit stall.
Todd Gilliland brings the field down for the green flag restart from the inside lane with 80 laps remaining in the race. Gilliland takes the lead with Martin Truex Jr on his bumper.
The top five are Todd Gilliland, Martin Truex Jr, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Brad Keselowski.
Martin Truex Jr passes Todd Gilliland for the lead.
At 5:45pm est, the setting sun is becoming an issue for the drivers.
Todd Gilliland retakes the lead with 76 laps remaining in the race; Brad Keselowski, Chase Briscoe, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.
Lap 186, Martin Truex Jr retakes the lead.
Seventy to go; Todd Gilliland is back out in front with Martin Truex Jr in second; Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
With 68 laps to go, Kyle Larson passes Todd Gilliland for the lead. Martin Truex Jr battles Larson for the lead.
Martin Truex Jr and Kyle Larson battle for the lead on lap 193 with Truex getting out in front.
Chase Elliot takes a big spin after contact from Ross Chastain with 62 laps to go to bring out the caution flag. Elliott was in a three wide battle at the time of his spin.
Pit road is open and about to be very busy as a large number of drivers come in for service…fuel. Some of them are taking only three seconds of fuel. Martin Truex Jr is the first car off of pit road.
After staying out on the track, Michael McDowell brings the field down for the green flag restart with just 55 laps remaining in the race. McDowell gets a push from Denny Hamlin to get out in front for the lead but Martin Truex Jr comes up on the outside to battle for the lead.
Austin Dillon gets into the wall but the track stays green.
Of the 37 cars that started the race today, just eleven of them have not been involved in an on track incident.
With 52 to go, Michael McDowell holds on to the lead. His crew reports that they are very close on having enough fuel to make to the end of the race.
With 51 to go drivers are four wide in a battle for the lead with Austin Cindric getting out in front and Kyle Busch on his bumper.
With 49 laps to go, Austin Cindric leads the race with Kyle Busch in second; Denny Hamlin, Todd Gilliland, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five.
With 47 to go, Kyle Busch is on the outside lane in a battle for the lead with Austin Cindric.
Denny Hamlin comes up to take second from Kyle Busch.
Just 45 laps to go, Denny Hamlin takes the lead; but Austin Cindric is not ready to give up the battle for the lead.
With 43 to go Denny Hamlin takes the lead.
The caution flag comes out with 41 laps remaining in the race for another big crash. Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, and Corey LaJoie were all involved. Keselowski gets loose and into the wall, collecting Larson and LaJoie.
The list of drivers not involved in an incident is down to seven.
Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag restart with just 35 laps remaining in the race. Hamlin edges out for the lead with Kyle Busch in second; Austin Cindric, Chase Briscoe and Todd Gilliland round out the top five.
Thirty to go, Kyle Busch comes up to battle Denny Hamlin for the lead; Hamlin falls back but Ryan Blaney comes up to battle with Kyle Busch. Busch takes the lead.
Ryan Blaney comes up on the outside to battle with Kyle Busch for the lead and gets out in front. Austin Cindric passes Kyle Busch for second.
The top five are Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, Kyle Busch, Bubba Wallace and Chase Briscoe.
Just 23 laps remain in the race; the drivers are three wide and pushing hard for position.
With 21 laps to go, the four wide battle brings a crash and the ninth caution flag of the race. Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin were involved and have significant damage to their cars. Briscoe is out of his car; while Hamlin limps his car around to pit road. Harrison Burton, Josh Berry, and Justin Haley were also involved.
NASCAR has red flagged the race to get the track cleaned up.
The red flag has been withdrawn and the yellow is back out with just 19 laps remaining in the race.
Several drivers come down pit road for service.
Ryan Blaney brings the field down for the green flag restart with just 15 laps to go under regulation. Blaney edges out in front of Daniel Suarez for the lead with a push from teammate Austin Cindric.
Daniel Suarez and Ryan Blaney battle for the lead.
Crash with 12 laps to go; Josh Berry gets into the wall; Chase Elliott and Carson Hocevar wer also involved.
Daniel Suarez is the new leader.
Daniel Suarez brings the field down for the green flag restart with just five laps remaining in regulation laps. Getting a push from Kyle Busch, Daniel Suarez takes the lead. Ryan Blaney comes up on the outside to take the lead.
Four to go, 47 lead changes for a new AMS record.
Three to go, Ryan Blaney leads with Daniel Suarez and Kyle Busch in a battle for second.
Ryan Blaney takes the white flag!
Kyle Busch makes it a three way battle with Ryan Blaney and Daniel Suarez for a photo finish! NASCAR says the finish is under review.
Daniel Suarez wins the race!!!!
The unofficial results of the Ambetter 400:
Daniel Suarez
Ryan Blaney
Kyle Busch
Austin Cindric
Bubba Wallace
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Ross Chastain
Michael McDowell
Chris Buescher
Ty Gibbs
Harrison Burton
Martin Truex Jr
Corey LaJoie
Kaz Grala
Chase Elliott
Ryan Preece
William Byron
Daniel Hemric
Carson Hocevar
Justin Haley
John Hunter Nemechek
Austin Dillon
Denny Hamlin
BJ McLeod
Erik Jones
Todd Gilliland
Alex Bowman
Joey Logano
Josh Berry
Tyler Reddick
Chase Briscoe
Kyle Larson
Brad Keselowski
Christopher Bell
Zane Smith
Noah Gragson
Josh Williams