By: Ashley McCubbin

“It’s like going to a haunted house, you know? It’s fun, but I’m scared for my life at the same time,” were the words uttered by Todd Gilliland ahead of a late-race restart on the radio at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It’s probably the best way you can describe the day that was overall.

If the product is meant to entertain you, then you could say that was accomplished with the Ambetter Health 400 as there were certainly moments that caught everyone’s attention.

Can you honestly complain when you see a three-wide battle for the win across the finish line? That was how Daniel Suarez took the checkered flag home, just 0.003 seconds ahead of Ryan Blaney with Kyle Busch right there.

Can you honestly complain the couple times when they went four-wide for positions, including a full lap around the 1.5-mile oval inside the top-five? Considering the product normally driven by restrictor plate events and the chaos we have already grown used to in 2024. Everyone expected a pile-up to right on the horizon. Instead, they kept the cars straight and delivered a show. So brownie points for the drivers in showcasing their talent and ability.

However, whether this is the best form of racing or not, that is where the debate can be had. Just look at the chaos on the second lap of the race and the amount of contenders removed as a result due to a simple check-up with a run. Just think about close they are, and the simple luck of the game essentially playing a role as to whether you win or succeed.

Don’t get me wrong – luck is not the only thing that dictates who wins. You need to have some skill in when to make the right moves to advance your position and put yourself in the right position. Chase Briscoe was trying to do more than his car would allow, and it bit him. Martin Truex Jr. dived for a hole, only to be shuffled back in the process.

But for some fans prefer a more traditional sentiment. They prefer to see the fastest car with the right strategy on pit road succeed at the end of the day. They prefer to see all out speed. They prefer to see a driver’s ability to save their tires for when they need them be the reason for why they win. They prefer to not see luck in a big pack be the reason you survive or not.

Though just because that may be your preference, you cannot admit today was entertaining and fun to be had. But should do it this way every week? Nope. It was be nice to get back to the traditional sense next weekend.

Before this is closed off, though, here’s is something to ponder as we get ready for the third race of the year. There was all the focus on Toyota and Ford for their speed shown in Daytona practice, qualifying, and the Duels. They were even focused upon in the early stages of the event at Atlanta. However, ultimately at the end of the day, it is two different Chevrolet teams holding a trophy to start the season.