The top speed at 188.450 mph continues an on-going trend from last season when the low down force package was introduced at Kentucky Speedway and Darlington Raceway. Hamlin finished third in both races while his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates won the races. 

Should Hamlin win on Sunday, he would become just the sixth driver in NASCAR history to start the season with two straight wins.

MORE: Driver-by-driver betting breakdown | Busch wins pole

Right behind Hamlin with the second fastest speed of the session was Martin Truex Jr. (188.226) who is using JGR equipment. The next three fastest were all Chevrolet’s from Hendrick Motorsports, led by four-time Atlanta winner Jimmie Johnson (187.297). 

JGR driver Kyle Busch, who won with this low downforce package at Kentucky last season, was sixth fastest (186.679) but will start from the rear of the field after a failed post-qualifying inspection. He had temporarily been on the pole.    

The theme coming into the week was whether or not last years results from Kentucky and Darlington would still have relevance this season. JGR and Team Penske were dominant in both races with Chevrolet lagging behind. But practices showed Chevy closed the gap and that maybe Team Penske is not as good. 

The top six 10-consecutive lap averages belong to the guys in bow-ties led by Jamie McMurray. Ryan Newman, Johnson, Kurt Busch, Austin Dillon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all filed in behind McMurray in the category. It’s a good sign for Chevrolet, which has won the past two Atlanta races. 

MORE: 10 facts to know about Atlanta race

McMurray (60/1), Dillon (60/1) and Newman (100/1) might all be worth a small play as long shots to win, but Kurt Busch and Johnson looked the best. Kyle Busch starts from way back, but with a lengthy 500 miles he’s got a good enough car and plenty of time to find his way to the front if he can be patient and stay out of other driver’s messes.  

NASCAR at Atlanta betting driver ratings

Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway          Sunday, February 28, 2016 - 1:16 pm (ET)  

Odds courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas Super Book.     

Note: This is the first off 11 races on 1.5-mile tracks this season.

*Results from the July 11, 2015 race at Kentucky Speedway, the only race run on a 1.5-mile track using the new low downforce package which makes its 2016 debut at Atlanta.

Micah Roberts, a former Las Vegas sports book director, has been setting NASCAR odds since 1994. Follow him on twitter @MicahRoberts7