Saturday night under the lights at EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway). Pack racing, high-banked chaos, a million bucks on the line in NASCAR’s first In-Season Challenge round. You know the deal: survive 260 laps of elbows-out drafting, avoid the Big One, and have enough left to throw that final punch. Let’s break down the board.

 

The Favorites

Ryan Blaney (+800 at BetRivers Sportsbook)

No one is better here lately. Nine top-10s in his last ten Atlanta starts. He was part of that three-wide photo finish in February 2024, third last fall, and fourth this spring. Blaney’s also led at least one lap in 10 of the last 11 here. Penske’s superspeedway program is dialed in. He’s the first name you circle.

Austin Cindric (+1000 at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Don’t sleep on the second Penske bullet, and I am not talking about Logano (who is a hard fade for me). He is quietly dangerous. Cindric rolls off fourth with Penske teammates all around him, making the front-row train scenario very real. He’s got finishes of third, fourth, 11th, and 12th in his last six here, plus that spring Talladega win. If they line up, he’ll be there at the end.

 

 

 

Mid-Tier Targets

Brad Keselowski (+1500 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

Old-school superspeedway master. He’s got six wins at Talladega, another at Daytona, and he’s been painfully close in Atlanta since joining RFK. This team is desperate for a win to lock in the playoffs. Expect aggressive strategy and zero hesitation in the final laps.

Chris Buescher (+2000 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

The patient assassin in the RFK stable. Won Daytona in 2023, nearly took Atlanta two years ago in the summer night race. Cooler temps help handling, which plays to Buescher’s smooth style. Great value at this number for a guy who knows how to keep the fenders clean.

 

 

 

Longshots Worth a Look

Ross Chastain (+2500 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

If you’re hunting for value with real upside, this is your play. Chastain knows how to work Atlanta’s pack racing better than most. He’s got two second-place finishes here since the repave, and he showed his muscle in February charging from 33rd to 8th despite the wreck-fest. He’s aggressive enough to make the winning move if the seas part. Trackhouse is always a threat on these drafting ovals. At this price? He’s absolutely live to steal it.

Noah Gragson (+6500 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Your true dart throw. Gragson’s Front Row Ford will have speed — FRM led big chunks of this race last year with Gilliland. Gragson ran top-10 here in February before getting collected late, has a fourth at Talladega this season, and won both Atlanta and Talladega in Xfinity. High risk, but ridiculous return if it hits.

 

 

 

Props That Pop

Ryan Blaney Top-5 Finish (+165 at BetRivers Sportsbook)

This is the smart, steady play. Blaney’s been Atlanta’s model of consistency since the reconfiguration. He hasn’t finished outside the top 10 here since 2022 and keeps stacking top-fives thanks to rock-solid drafting skill and Penske’s teamwork. Even when the wrecks come, he’s the guy who finds a way through. At +165, you’re getting real value on a driver who’s made the front pack his permanent address.

Ross Chastain Top-10 Finish (+150 at BetRivers Sportsbook)

Chastain’s been one of the most reliable guys here since the repave. Four top-10s in the Next Gen car at Atlanta, including two runner-up finishes, and he dragged it from 33rd to 8th this February. He’s aggressive enough to make moves in the draft but knows how to survive the chaos. At +150 you’re getting plus money for a driver who’s almost always in the mix here. That’s just smart.

Noah Gragson Top-10 Finish (+330 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

If you want value, this is it. He’s aggressive enough to stay up front if he survives, and his Front Row Ford is proven on these tracks. Worth a sprinkle as your classic “if he avoids the wrecks” top-10 ticket.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Atlanta’s tight-pack chaos is the ultimate leveler. Penske’s trio is loaded up front, RFK’s experienced duo knows how to manage the late madness, and wildcards like Chastain and Gragson are primed to steal it if it breaks loose. Don’t play timid. Spread the risk, take some swings on the long shots, and let’s aim to cash big on Saturday night.