The NASCAR season is in full swing, as Race 2 has been run, and there is a new points leader. 

The Ambetter Health 400 took place on Sunday, 2/24, and it was won by Norman, Oklahoma driver Christopher Bell, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. Finishing runner-up was last season’s Rookie of The Year award winner Carson Hocevar, driving for Spire Motorsports. 

Hocevar achieved his best career Cup result, but didn’t make any friends along the way. He angered the Cup Series’ old guard, such as Kyle Busch. Busch said the following over the radio. 

“Go tell that 77 (Hocevar) he’s done that same [expletive] move ten times.”

“I don’t care if I wreck the whole [expletive] field, I’m over him.”

“He’s an [expletive] [expletive], I’m going to wreck his [expletive].” 

Hocevar very well could’ve won the race, had NASCAR cut the last lap short due to them throwing a caution flag, a move that has been disliked more and more by fans. Hocevar received a post-race visit from Ross Chastain and the aforementioned Kyle Busch about his behavior during the race. 

The race mostly ran without incident, and a nearly-sold out crowd at the Atlanta Motor Speedway enjoyed another thriller race. 

Ryan Blaney is now the current points leader, with 85 on the year. William Byron is runner-up, 12 points behind Blaney with 75 points so far. 

The next race will be held at the Circuit of the Americas on the city limits of Austin, T.X. The COTA Short Course is making its debut, as NASCAR chose to move away from the Grand Prix circuit. 18-year old superstar Connor Zilisch is making his NASCAR Cup Series debut in the #87 Trackhouse Racing car sponsored by Red Bull. 

The Echopark Automotive Texas Grand Prix will be held on Sunday, March 2 at 3:30 PM EST on FOX.