JOLIET, Ill. – The first 80 laps of Sunday’s race at Chicagoland Speedway are complete and Chase Elliott led his teammates to the first of two green-checkered flags in third.
Starting in eighth, Elliott jumped into the top five only 10 laps into the stage. After a cycle of green-flag pit stops around Lap 40, Elliott gained momentum to hold steady with a top-five finish.
Jimmie Johnson started the race in 14th and broke into the top 10 with 30 laps to go. After pitting for four tires and fuel in the middle of the stage, Johnson returned to the track in 24th but easily shuffled through the field to finish the stage in 11th.
Kasey Kahne finished Stage 1 in 16th while teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the top 20. Both are one lap down to the leader.
Kyle Busch won the stage.
Stage 2 will consist of another 80 laps before a final 107-lap segment.