Video: Daniel Suárez Tops Blaney, Busch in Photo Finish in NASCAR Race at Atlanta

Andrew PetersFebruary 26, 2024

Alex Slitz/Getty Images

After an exciting first week of the NASCAR Cup Series at the Daytona 500 last week, the Ambetter Health 400 didn’t disappoint.

Daniel Suárez beat Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch in a three-wide photo finish Sunday night to claim his first victory of the season and the second of his Cup Series career.

Suárez led for just nine laps on Sunday, beating the runner-up Blaney by a 0.003-second margin. Busch was 0.007 seconds back from Suárez in third place.

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX3-WIDE AT THE LINE! WHAT A FINISH. Repost to congratulate Daniel Suárez on his Atlanta Motor Speedway WIN! pic.twitter.com/RdewRqJiwg

NASCAR on NBC @NASCARonNBCTHAT’S HOW CLOSE IT WAS!

Daniel Suarez beats Ryan Blaney at the line to WIN at @ATLMotorSpdwy! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/XqWS183NO3

Just behind the trio that provided one of the most exciting finishes in recent years, Austin Cindric placed fourth and Bubba Wallace finished in fifth place.

While the final lap of the race provided some thrills for fans, the race was marred by caution flags throughout. Just like the Daytona 500 last week, an early crash occurred, this time in just the second lap. A collision in the outside lane led to a 14-car pile-up, though Josh Williams was the only car that had to exit at that point. From there, several other caution flags slowed things down.

In last week’s Daytona 500, William Byron took home the victory just seconds before the caution flag after a wreck right before the finish line.

Byron, who had a breakthrough season in 2023, sits atop the Cup Series standings with 77 points. Suárez and Busch sit just behind him in second and third, respectively.

If the first two races of the season are any indication of what this year’s Cup Series will be like, fans are in for an exciting year.