The 2025 Quaker State 400 marks the NASCAR Cup Series’ first Saturday race and kicks off the inaugural NASCAR In-Season Challenge. Over the next five races, a grand prize of $1 million will be at stake, with Christopher Bell identified as a sleeper pick due to his impressive history at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Notably, Bell previously captured a win there, contributing to a series of three consecutive victories, but is currently listed as a +1700 longshot in the odds.
Ryan Blaney stands as the +850 favorite, and considering the value of Bell, the SportsLine model recommends including him in your bets for the upcoming Atlanta race.
NASCAR Atlanta Longshot Picks:
- Christopher Bell (+1700)
- Denny Hamlin (+2100)
- Ross Chastain (+2100)
Christopher Bell
Currently fourth in the standings, Bell is striving for his fourth consecutive top-5 finish. Following a crash that landed him a disappointing 31st place at Daytona, he swiftly bounced back with a victory in Atlanta. Bell managed to lead only one lap, which happened to be during overtime on lap 266. His momentum includes a fourth-place finish in his last Atlanta appearance and a third-place finish in 2023. Given these statistics, Bell is a strong candidate for betting.
Denny Hamlin
Hamlin has been on a consistent path recently, with finishes of first, second, and third in his last three Cup Series races. After missing a race in Mexico City due to personal reasons, he returned to claim a runner-up finish at Pocono. Hamlin is currently leading the field with three wins this season, and his previous experience as a victor at Atlanta makes him a compelling choice.
Ross Chastain
Chastain has displayed substantial progress since joining Trackhouse Racing in 2022, boasting an average finish of 11.4 in Atlanta, marking a significant improvement from his earlier days. With four top 10 finishes in his last seven starts at Atlanta, including back-to-back second-place finishes in 2022, he is another longshot worth considering.
For more in-depth predictions and analysis, consider visiting the SportsLine prediction model that has successfully identified numerous winners over the season.
