Early wreck collects multiple cars on Lap 2 of Ambetter Health 400

Early on in the Ambetter Health 400 and already we have cars sliding around and wrecking, starting with Austin Dillon. A stack-up on Lap 2 of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta caused a chain reaction.

Todd Gilliland checked up coming around the start-finish line. Behind him, he got bumped and then a stack-up began. Austin Dillon got pinned between two cars and lost control. He spun out and the caution was out.

This is a huge break for Joey Logano who was serving a pass-through penalty for an illegal glove in qualifying. Dillon scored just a single point at Daytona and will likely start in a deep hole because of this.

Alex Bowman, Bubba Wallace, Noah Gragson, and others were caught up in this mess as well. Denny Hamlin barely made it out unscathed.

Green flag … and a big crash on Lap 2 at Atlanta! 😳 pic.twitter.com/SmNWR36kej

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 25, 2024

This race has already gotten wild. Lap 2 and we’re collecting cars off the apron. Let’s see if we can get into a rhythm and have green flag racing at Atlanta.

16 cars were involved one way or another in this wreck. When Gilliland checked up, it just caused the field to bunch up and make contact. On the new Atlanta, it is just too much to ask these drivers to take those hits and keep it straight.

While this is a rough start to the day, it could just be the start. For the most part, the drivers were able to continue. However, Carson Hocevar, Tyler Reddick, Bowman, Gragson, and Dillon are all at least one lap down if not more. Bell is in the garage for repairs.

Ambetter Health 400 gets squirrely early

In the Truck Series and Xfinity Series, drivers seemed afraid to go two-wide and really push the issue. There is a way to run wide on this track and get multiple lanes moving. It just takes drivers willing to do it.

So, early on we are seeing a lot of eagerness from these drivers. They clearly want to get out front and put themselves in position to lead laps. This race track runs best when your car is out front. However, that’s easier said than done.

After the restart, we see Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson make moves to the front. They have traded the lead a few times. The inside lane has lost some cars due to the damaged cars in the early wreck. Still, we are seeing a pretty racey track right now.

The Ambetter Health 400 is just getting started and it is full of drama. Joey Logano was able to get back on the lead lap because of the wreck to start the race. With a fast Ford Mustang Dark Horse, Logano is hoping to win the race despite his pre-race penalties.