NASCAR Cup Collection racing is again in Atlanta for the Ambetter Well being 400! That is the primary of two dates that NASCAR has set to go to the guts of Georgia. Following the spectacle of wreckage that was the Daytona 500, the ever-so-popular superspeedway-like racing is correct again. However people are a tad extra excited for this race than others. Atlanta because the repave has aged fantastically, inflicting tireware and creating alternatives to cross. That, on high of this race final 12 months, which noticed a three-wide end between #99-#12-#8.
All that units up for what must be one other enjoyable race for the Ambetter Well being 400. Chris and I are again for an additional set of picks, which didn’t see both of us choose a winner. However not less than I didn’t begin the 12 months with a fade successful the Daytona 500 like final season. So with out additional adieu, let’s get proper into this. Listed below are the BellyUp Racing’s picks for this week’s Ambetter Well being 400!
Kaleb’s Picks: #20 Christopher Bell (+1800) & #99 Daniel Suarez (+1700)
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Christopher Bell’s file on these tracks isn’t superior, however Atlanta stands out. His common end is comparatively mediocre (17.7) however he’s netted two high fives within the final 4 races. Together with a P4 in final fall’s race. He’s additionally collected some strong stage finishes alongside the best way. Solely final spring when he wrecked out did he not acquire stage factors in any stage. It’s of venture, however I believe C-Bell could possibly be an element right here.
As for final 12 months’s winner, Suarez appears to have this observe discovered. Ryan Blaney is the one drive with a greater common end within the final six races right here, by .1 of a margin. The one race the place Suarez completed outdoors the top-10 was the spring of 2023 the place he fell sufferer to the DVP. Within the final three races, the #99 hasn’t completed worse than P2. When you’re not snug betting on Suarez going back-to-back, he’s +550 for a high 3 and +220 for a high 5.
Chris’s Picks: #1 Ross Chastain (+2200) & #9 Chase Elliott (+1200)
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Let’s begin by saying this. Trackhouse Racing has one thing discovered on this Atlanta configuration. Daniel has completed within the high two within the final three races. Ross hasn’t been fairly that good as of late which might be why his odds are a bit worse. Nonetheless, in case you go have a look at his outcomes since becoming a member of Trackhouse he solely has one end outdoors the highest fifteen, and that was because of the broken car coverage. So he hasn’t been horrible. I believe Ross might simply, be a contender this week so long as he can keep away from any early chaos.
So, Chase has all the time had first rate runs in his Cup collection profession. He’s solely ever completed outdoors the highest twenty as soon as in 12 profession Atlanta begins. Now clearly we had the re-pave forward of 2022. You’d assume the outcomes would’ve modified however nope. Chase has solely two finishes outdoors the highest ten, however none outdoors the highest fifteen. Plus he had the win again in July of twenty-two. Additionally, this workforce had a tuned-in automotive it appeared like final week throughout the Daytona 500. That automotive appeared to show and maneuver all throughout the observe higher than most. At +1200 you might flip some pizza cash into mild invoice cash simply. When you like wanting on the statistics, Chase is a fairly secure guess too.
Kaleb’s Wildcard: #01 Corey Lajoie (+5000)
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Corey Lajoie was nominated for SpeedGeek’s driver of the week for his efforts final weekend at Daytona. And I believe he has an opportunity to go forward and get one other a kind of with a strong efficiency at Atlanta. An idea he’s not unfamiliar with. He’s bought two top-fives in Atlanta because the repave, and a few top-15s to go along with. Sadly, he hasn’t scored these high fives in a few years now. He’s in worse gear with a worse workforce in Rick Ware Racing. All that plus he’s a part-time racer. The main target may not be the identical because it was in Daytona the place he led 10 laps and ran up entrance for portion of the race. However I believe in case you’re seeking to unfold the wealth of your models and attempt to hit huge. Corey Lajoie is an effective match on the Ambetter Well being 400.
Chris’s Wildcard: Erik Jones (+4500)
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As of late Erik hasn’t had the outcomes at Atlanta. We’ll chalk it as much as the truth that LMC was studying the Toyota method of issues because it was simply the final two races. Earlier than that although he hadn’t completed outdoors the highest fifteen on this new configuration. Plus all three of the Legacy vehicles had superior runs at Daytona. So possibly Ole seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson cleaned home and introduced in some new individuals. Both method at +4500 you may make your self a pleasant little chunk of change with only a ten greenback funding. Plus as I discussed above Erik appears to love this fashion of racing.
When you loved this content material, or hate it and need to argue with me, observe me on Twitter @KalebMcChesney! Additionally, learn up on the remainder of the NASCAR content material Stomach Up Sports activities affords right here! Heck, for all of your different sports activities wants, observe the principle web page. When you love racing of any form or kind, discover Chris on Twitter, and let’s discuss!