This is the matchup of the weekend. Point standings leader Hamlin against his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate who has produced two consecutive top-five finishes while competing with a broken left wrist. Granted, Hamlin is on a roll, producing four top-five finishes, including three consecutive victories, in the last six races. However, since the Atlanta track was reconfigured before the 2022 season with the banking increasing from 24 to 28 degrees and the racing surface being reduced from 55 feet to 40 feet, Hamlin hasn’t faired well at the track. His best finish has been sixth—twice—once in 2023 and again in 2025. In the first Atlanta race this year, he finished 13th. On the other hand, Bell has had three top-five finishes, including a victory, in February 2025. Hamlin seems to have a knack for getting caught up in the multi-car crashes at Atlanta, so I have to give the edge to Bell.
