Atlanta Motor Speedway has transformed into a superspeedway-style wild card, where pack racing and late-race chaos create the perfect storm for surprise winners. With the draft keeping the field tight and attrition playing a major role, long shots are always in play, making this one of the most exciting betting opportunities of the season.
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Race Winner — Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta
Race Winner: Zane Smith +8000
Zane Smith is an underrated but highly capable long-shot bet for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta. His impressive qualifying effort on Saturday gives him a prime starting position, which is crucial in superspeedway-style racing where track position can dictate survival. Driving for Front Row Motorsports, a team that has consistently produced fast Fords at drafting tracks, Smith has the equipment to contend.
Beyond his Cup potential, Smith has already demonstrated his prowess in pack racing with two Truck Series victories at Daytona. His ability to navigate the chaos of high-speed drafting races has been proven, and Atlanta’s reconfigured layout plays directly into those strengths. With the unpredictable nature of pack racing, long shots always have a legitimate shot, especially if they avoid trouble and position themselves well for the closing laps. With Front Row’s history of speed on drafting tracks and Smith’s ability to close the deal, he’s a sneaky-good betting option to watch when the checkered flag falls.
Race Winner: Corey LaJoie +6000
Corey LaJoie has been a strong performer at Atlanta since its reconfiguration, finishing fifth and fourth in two of the six races and inside the top 15 in four of them. When he’s avoided late-race chaos, he’s been a legitimate contender, running near the front and proving he can make the right moves in the draft. LaJoie himself has said this is his best track, and he fully believes he can win here.
Rick Ware Racing cars have earned solid finishes at Atlanta in the past, proving that this track can produce surprise contenders. LaJoie also ran well for most of the race last week at Daytona, staying in the mix before things unraveled late. With Atlanta’s volatility, long shots are always in play, and LaJoie has shown he knows how to navigate the pack and be in position when it counts.
At +6000, this is the perfect high-upside bet. A win at Atlanta could set up a bankroll for the entire season.
Race Winner: Austin Dillon +4500
Austin Dillon might not have a great track record at Atlanta, but at +4500, he has the potential to change that. While his past Atlanta results don’t stand out, he’s proven time and again that he can win in the draft, with multiple Cup Series victories at Daytona and Xfinity Series wins there as well. His Richard Childress Racing teammate Kyle Busch has been a legitimate contender at Atlanta, proving that the RCR cars have the speed and setup to run up front.
Dillon knows how to survive in pack racing and position himself for a late-race move, which is all that matters at a track like this. If the race turns chaotic—as it often does at Atlanta—his experience and aggressive style could put him in the perfect spot when it counts. At +4500, Dillon is a high-upside long shot worth taking a chance on.
