Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway), Hampton, Georgia
Race Format: 260 laps | 400.4 miles | Three stages (60/160/260)
Broadcast: TNT, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Track Overview: EchoPark Speedway
Length: 1.54-mile quad-oval
Banking: 28° in turns (superspeedway-style)
Surface: Aged asphalt, reprofiled in 2022
Racing Style: Pack racing with drafting, similar to Daytona/Talladega
Key Traits: High tire wear, narrow lanes, and late-race chaos potential
Since its reconfiguration, EchoPark Speedway has become a hybrid of superspeedway drafting and intermediate-track handling. Expect three-wide action, strategic alliances, and a premium on track position.
Major Storylines
Inaugural In-Season Challenge Begins
This race kicks off NASCAR’s first-ever In-Season Challenge, a five-race, single-elimination tournament.
32 drivers qualified based on points after Nashville. Matchups are head-to-head, with the higher finisher advancing.
The winner of the Challenge earns $1 million and a potential playoff advantage.
Blaney, Bell, and Cindric Lead the Charge
Ryan Blaney enters as the betting favorite (+800) with nine Top-10s in his last 10 Atlanta starts.
Christopher Bell, winner of the February race at EchoPark, is riding momentum and has three wins in 2025.
Austin Cindric has quietly become a superspeedway threat, with a win at Talladega and strong Atlanta form.
Larson’s Superspeedway Struggles
Despite being a title contender, Kyle Larson has historically underperformed on drafting tracks.
He’s never won a superspeedway race and has just two Top-5s in 48 such starts.
Underdogs to Watch
Alex Bowman and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. have quietly built strong superspeedway résumés.
Ty Gibbs and Josh Berry could play spoiler roles in the In-Season Challenge bracket.
Notable In-Season Challenge Matchups
| Matchup | Drivers |
| #1 vs. #32 | Denny Hamlin vs. Ty Dillon |
| #16 vs. #17 | Kyle Busch vs. Brad Keselowski |
| #8 vs. #25 | Alex Bowman vs. Joey Logano |
| #9 vs. #24 | Bubba Wallace vs. Daniel Suárez |
These head-to-head battles will be a race within the race, adding a layer of strategy and urgency to every lap.
Strategy & Race Dynamics
Pit Strategy: Expect 2–3 stops depending on cautions. Fuel windows are tight, and tire wear is significant.
Drafting Partners: Alliances between teammates (e.g., Penske trio: Blaney, Logano, Cindric) will be crucial.
Cautions: High likelihood of late-race wrecks due to pack racing and playoff-style aggression.
Top Contenders:
Ryan Blaney – Consistent, experienced, and thrives at EchoPark.
Christopher Bell – Hot hand and February winner here.
Austin Cindric – Underrated superspeedway racer with momentum.
Dark Horses:
Alex Bowman – Strong recent form on drafting tracks.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – Always a threat in chaotic pack races.
Ty Gibbs – Hungry and aggressive in elimination format.
Fantasy Tip: Stack your lineup with Penske drivers and those starting mid-pack with high position differential potential.
DRIVER ODDS
Ryan Blaney + 650
Joey Logano + 1000
Austin Cindric + 1000
William Byron + 1200
Brad Keselowski + 1200
Kyle Larson + 1400
Chase Elliott + 1400
Kyle Busch + 1500
Chris Buescher + 1600
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. + 1800
Denny Hamlin + 1800
Christopher Bell + 1800
Carson Hocevar + 1800
Josh Berry + 2200
Ryan Preece + 2800
Ross Chastain + 2800
Bubba Wallace + 2800
Zane Smith + 3000
Tyler Reddick + 3000
Daniel Suarez + 3000
John Hunter Nemechek + 3500
Alex Bowman + 3500
Ty Gibbs + 4000
Chase Briscoe + 4000
Noah Gragson + 4500
Todd Gilliland + 5000
Michael McDowell + 5500
Corey Lajoie + 7000
Erik Jones + 7000
Cole Custer + 7000
Austin Dillon + 7000
AJ Allmendinger + 7000
Riley Herbst + 9000
Justin Haley + 9000
Connor Zilisch + 9000
Ty Dillon + 10000
Shane Van Gisbergen + 11000
Cody Ware + 17000
David Starr + 50000
BJ McLeod + 50000
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 27, 2025
