Denny Hamlin Faces Tough Atlanta Battle Against Christopher Bell

Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell will have more than just an EchoPark Speedway trophy on the line Sunday night. The Joe Gibbs Racing teammates are matched up in NASCAR's In-Season Challenge bracket, creating an intriguing head-to-head battle at one of the sport's most unpredictable tracks.

The two drivers will be competing for bragging rights and a chance to move forward in the bracket. Hamlin joked that Bell enters as the favorite based on his recent Atlanta record. "I certainly feel like we will probably be the underdog against Christopher," Hamlin said Saturday. "He's got some pretty strong track record here. We were basically just saying whoever doesn't wreck, that's pretty much what it's going to come down to is who is going to get swept up in what they likely didn't cause."

Bell knows firsthand how difficult survival can be at the reconfigured Atlanta drafting track. "I'm not sure what is more exciting or less exciting that Atlanta was the first race of this deal," Bell said. "I'm happy to be alive and made it a lot further than last year, that's for sure." While Bell remains winless despite multiple near misses this season, he expressed confidence that a victory is coming. "I still haven't won yet, but I know we are going to win at some point and we are going to keep putting ourselves in position," Bell said.

Bell also provided an encouraging update on the wrist injury he suffered earlier this summer. The driver of the No. 20 Toyota said he has eliminated the brace from his palm and expects to be close to fully healed when the series visits North Wilkesboro next week. "I'm optimistic that North Wilkesboro next week will be close if not 100%," Bell said, adding that he still plans to wear a cast during Sunday's race as a precaution.

Looking beyond Atlanta, Bell has already circled North Wilkesboro after winning the most recent All-Star Race there. The 2025 All-Star winner believes the historic short track remains one of NASCAR's most intriguing venues because teams still have limited notebook information. "I love those kind of races where there's no books on it and everyone is learning on the fly," Bell said.

Hamlin also discussed NASCAR's recent decision not to issue penalties following incidents that drew attention throughout the garage. "I can see where it can be mixed messaging," Hamlin said. "If you are ruling that it's not intentional, but saying it has to stop, then you are saying they had the choice to wreck each other."

The NASCAR In-Season Challenge bracket will continue with the next round after Sunday's race at Atlanta.