CONCORD, N.C. -- After an eventful afternoon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Jimmie Johnson emerged with the highest finish for Hendrick Motorsports.
Let's take a look at what we learned.
BOWMAN PROUD OF FILL-IN EFFORT
When Alex Bowman climbed out of the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS, he had a smile on his face.
Filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- who missed the race due to concussion-like symptoms -- Bowman had raced his way inside the top 10 with less than 30 laps to go in the event.
“This is the first time I’ve consistently run in the top 10 in a Cup car," Bowman said. "We made a lot of progress this weekend. This is by far my worst racetrack. To come here with these guys and run that well just shows what a great piece they bring to the racetrack."
Unfortunately, with 29 laps remaining, the No. 88 Chevy experienced a tire issue that sent it into the wall. Just ahead of Bowman, teammate Chase Elliott also suffered a tire issue and hit the wall. Both headed to pit road for repairs before returning to the track to finish the race.
Bowman explained that he made slight contact with the No. 19 car on pit road, and when he got into the No. 41 car back on the track, the tire "was already going down," causing him to get loose.
He ultimately crossed the finish line 26th.
"I wish we had the finish," he said, "but I think they knew we were here.”
JOHNSON EXPLAINS LATE-RACE ISSUE
Late in Sunday's race, Johnson was knocking on the door of the top 10 when a caution flag waved on Lap 264.
He headed to pit road, but couldn't make it into his pit box cleanly.
That put him back on the track in 24th for the ensuing restart.
He managed to work his way through the field to finish 12th, but it wasn't the result he was hoping for.
“It was a tough day," Johnson said. "We had a fifth-to-eighth-place Lowe’s Chevy and I just messed up sliding through my pit. That was disappointing, for sure.”
CONTACT COSTS KAHNE POTENTIAL TOP-FIVE
With less than 20 laps remaining in Sunday's race, Kasey Kahne was racing through the top 10 with his sights set on the top five.
But battling for seventh place during a restart, a competitor made contact with the No. 5 Quicken Loans Chevrolet, forcing Kahne into the wall.
Thanks to quick work by the No. 5 team on pit road, Kahne was able to return to the track still on the lead lap after some repairs to his Chevy.
He ultimately finished 25th.