What a win! Despite leading just one lap out of 266, Christopher Bell was in front when the race-winning caution flag was waved at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Naturally, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver was ecstatic at the outcome, as it was his first triumph at the 1.54-mile oval and his 10th Cup Series victory of his career. Driving the No. 20 Toyota, the Oklahoman passed Kyle Larson in the final lap of the 2025 AmBetter Health 400 and couldn’t help but make a subtle dig at his rival.

The rivalry between the two racers is well known. Both Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson clashed plenty of times on dirt tracks during the off-season, but triumphing at NASCAR’s highest level would have been a very satisfying outcome for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver.

Christopher Bell breaks his Cup Series winless streak

Despite being hailed as a generational talent, Larson’s struggles at superspeedways are well known. The 2021 Cup Series winner hasn’t won at Daytona or Talladega yet, and his average finish at both tracks is an unimpressive 21.9. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has been outspoken about his ‘fear’ of such tracks and has previously admitted that he has a tendency to crash on superspeedways. The California native was also criticized for his decision-making at the 2025 Daytona 500 which resulted in a 20th-place finish.

Knowing Larson’s weakness, Christopher Bell couldn’t help but say in the post-race interview, “I’ll tell you what, that right there is what you dream of, to be able to restart on the first or second row in a green/white checkered in a speedway. You never know how those things are going to play out, but I’ll be the first to tell you, I love superspeedways.” The Joe Gibbs Racing driver seemed to be rubbing salt in his rival’s wounds with the cocky comment after securing the win, especially after making the pass over the No. 5 Chevy before the race ended at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The victory was an unexpected one, particularly for the Toyota driver. Leading up to the race, nine out of 10 qualifying positions at the top were held by Ford cars, who clearly had better speed. However, Christopher Bell’s No. 20 Camry was set up for better handling, and the 30-year-old used that to his advantage at the 1.5-mile oval. Despite starting the race in 34th place, the Oklahoman used a patient approach to steadily climb up the grid as the race went on, setting himself up for the win when the opportunity came by.

The result was an important one for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who broke his 19-race winless streak at NASCAR’s highest level with the triumph. With a playoff spot guaranteed, the Oklahoman will feel a weight lifted off his shoulders going into the rest of the races in the regular season. As for Kyle Larson, the Hendrick Motorsports driver can learn a lesson or two from Bell’s masterclass at Atlanta Motor Speedway, as his Toyota managed to win a race that was dominated by a sea of Ford’s and Chevys.

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Jeff Gordon shares his thoughts on Larson’s superspeedway struggles

It’s almost as if Kyle Larson has a target on his back. The Hendrick Motorsports driver is widely hailed as one of the finest racecar drivers in the world and rightfully so. His versatility, ability to push the limits and sheer talent make him a force to be reckoned with, and it should come as no surprise that the California native secured six Cup Series wins last year. However, given his stature within the sport, getting the better of the No. 5 Chevy offers a different sense of achievement, a feeling Christopher Bell experienced at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

However, Larson’s superspeedway struggles are becoming a cause for concern. Sharing his thoughts about the situation, vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports Jeff Gordon said, “I think I’m starting to see it’s getting in his head. I’ve had a few conversations with him, and like, man, just go for it, just forget about it, don’t try to even overthink it. I don’t know what advice to give him other than … just be Kyle Larson. Don’t try to be something you’re not. Don’t look at what somebody else is doing that’s having success. Just go out there and execute, and the other things will turn around and come your way eventually.”

It seems like Christopher Bell isn’t the only one throwing subtle digs at 2021 Cup Series winner. Ahead of the 2025 Daytona 500, 10-year-old son Owen Larson ruled out his father’s chances at ‘The Great American Race’ because “he probably needs to try really hard because he’s not good at superspeedway racing.” However, considering Kyle Larson’s talent and his ability to win on other tracks, would anyone really be making jokes at his expense if he makes it to Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway later this year? Very unlikely. While there are aspects to his race craft Larson needs to perfect, he won’t be losing sleep over it anytime soon.