DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Forty laps are complete under the lights at Daytona International Speedway and Dale Earnhardt Jr. led his teammates to the green-checkered flag in second.
After falling back under the first two cautions of the stage, Earnhardt and the No. 88 Nationwide Chevy team utilized the high line to make a run for the lead. He will earn nine bonus points.
Kasey Kahne maintained a position inside the top 15, finishing 14th.
Teammate Chase Elliott was in a three-wide battle for fourth but fell back in the pack to take the green-checkered flag in 16th.
Jimmie Johnson finished the stage in 17th.
Brad Keselowski won the stage.
Stage 2 will consist of another 40 laps before a final 80-lap segment.