The Ambetter Health 400 is a joke. The track is too easy and the racing is boring. Chase Elliott’s win last year was a fluke and he’ll never repeat it.

The Ambetter Health 400, one of the key races in the NASCAR Cup Series, has become a subject of heated debate among fans and critics alike. While some appreciate its strategic elements and high speeds, others argue that the track is too easy, the racing lacks excitement, and that last year’s winner, Chase Elliott, simply got lucky. But is the criticism fair, or is there more to this race than meets the eye? Let’s take a deep dive into what makes the Ambetter Health 400 so controversial and whether the concerns about its competitiveness hold weight.

Why Some Say the Ambetter Health 400 Is Too Easy

One of the biggest complaints about the Ambetter Health 400 is that the track, Atlanta Motor Speedway, no longer presents the challenge it once did. Over the years, track modifications have significantly changed the way races play out, leading many to argue that it has become too easy for drivers to navigate. But what exactly makes it “too easy” in the eyes of its critics?

1. Atlanta’s Repave and Reconfiguration

In 2021, Atlanta Motor Speedway underwent a major repave and reconfiguration. The banking was increased from 24 to 28 degrees, and the width of the track was reduced, making it more like a superspeedway than the traditional intermediate track it once was. The result? Cars now run closer together, and pack racing has become the norm—leading to what some fans call “restrictor-plate racing” at a track that used to reward driver skill and tire management.

Instead of being a test of raw driving talent, some say the race now plays out more like Daytona or Talladega, where drafting and luck play larger roles than mechanical skill and racecraft. This has led to criticism that it removes the element of true driver control and turns the event into a spectacle that is more about survival than skill.

2. Lack of Tire Wear and Strategy

One of the hallmarks of the old Atlanta Motor Speedway was its notoriously abrasive surface, which ate away at tires and forced drivers to carefully manage their equipment. That strategic element is now largely gone due to the repave, making long-run strategy less important and increasing the importance of track position and drafting. Critics argue that this removes one of the sport’s most compelling elements—strategy and tire management—and replaces it with a more predictable and less exciting form of racing.

3. Pack Racing Leads to Less Passing

While some might think that closer racing equals better racing, the reality isn’t that simple. The current rules package at Atlanta often leads to long stretches where drivers are stuck in a draft, unable to make meaningful passes unless they get help from behind. This has led some to argue that the race lacks the kind of side-by-side battles that make NASCAR great and instead turns into a game of aerodynamics and waiting for a late-race crash to shake things up.

Was Chase Elliott’s 2023 win a fluke?

Chase Elliott’s victory in last year’s Ambetter Health 400 was met with mixed reactions. As a hometown hero from Georgia, many fans celebrated his win, but others claimed that luck played a bigger role than skill. So, was his victory truly a fluke, or did he earn it fair and square?

1. The Role of Late-Race Cautions

One of the key reasons some view Elliott’s win as lucky is the presence of late-race cautions, which bunched up the field and allowed him to capitalize on restarts. While cautions are part of the sport, critics argue that Elliott was simply in the right place at the right time rather than dominating the race from start to finish.

2. The Superspeedway Effect

Because of the way Atlanta now races, many compare it to Daytona or Talladega, where pack racing often leads to unexpected winners. Drivers who wouldn’t normally have a shot at winning can find themselves at the front if they make the right moves late in the race. Elliott, an already skilled driver, took advantage of the circumstances, but some argue that his win was more about luck than dominance.

3. Will He Ever Win Here Again?

For those who believe Elliott’s win was a fluke, the ultimate test will be whether he can repeat his success. If he can back it up with another victory, it would silence many of his critics and prove that he has mastered the new Atlanta layout. But if he struggles in future races at the track, the argument that his win was simply a result of circumstances will gain traction.

Is the racing really that boring?

The claim that the Ambetter Health 400 is “boring” is subjective, but there are some valid arguments on both sides. While critics say the race lacks excitement due to the drafting nature of the new Atlanta, supporters argue that it has created some of the most unpredictable and thrilling finishes in recent years.

1. Close Finishes

One thing the new Atlanta has delivered is incredibly close finishes. The pack racing format means that the leader is rarely safe, and multiple drivers often have a shot at winning in the final laps. For fans who enjoy unpredictable endings, this can be a huge plus.

2. High-Speed Action

With cars running inches apart at speeds exceeding 180 mph, the level of intensity has certainly increased. One mistake can take out multiple contenders in a split second, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

3. Too Many Cautions?

One downside of the new racing style is that the increased aggression often leads to a higher number of caution flags, which some fans find frustrating. The stop-and-go nature of the race can disrupt the flow and make it feel less like a true test of endurance and more like a waiting game for the next wreck.

How Could NASCAR Fix the Ambetter Health 400?

If the goal is to make the race more competitive and rewarding for skilled drivers, there are a few changes NASCAR could consider:

• Alter the Aero Package: Adjusting the downforce and horsepower levels could help give drivers more control and reduce the reliance on pack racing.

• Reintroduce More Tire Wear: Finding ways to make tire management a bigger factor could restore some of the strategic depth that Atlanta used to have.

• Tweaking the Track Layout: While another major reconfiguration might not be feasible soon, minor changes to the banking or width could help encourage more passing and reduce the “stuck in a pack” phenomenon.

Final Verdict: Is the Ambetter Health 400 a Joke?

At the end of the day, whether the Ambetter Health 400 is a “joke” depends on what you value in a NASCAR race. If you prefer old-school, strategy-driven racing with high tire wear and drivers battling their cars, the new Atlanta might not be for you. But if you enjoy high-speed pack racing with tight finishes and plenty of unpredictability, the changes to the track have delivered exactly that.

As for Chase Elliott, whether his win was a fluke or not will be determined by how he performs in future editions of the race. If he can adapt and consistently compete at the front, his critics will have to admit that his success was no accident.

Ultimately, NASCAR fans will continue to debate the merits of the Ambetter Health 400, but one thing is for sure—it remains one of the most talked-about races on the schedule, and that alone proves its relevance in the sport.