FONTANA, Calif. – Rookie Chase Elliott was the highest Hendrick Motorsports qualifier in Friday’s time trials at Auto Club Speedway and will lead his teammates to the green flag on Sunday.
After recording the second-fastest time in the first two rounds, Elliott advanced to the final round of qualifying where he solidified the eighth starting position for Sunday's 400-mile race.
Kasey Kahne also advanced to the third and final round, but did not make it to the line before time expired in the session to post a valid lap. He will start 12th.
Advancing from the first round to the second, Johnson secured the 19th starting position in his No. 48 Lowe’s Superman Chevrolet SS.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not advance past the first round and will start 27th in Sunday’s #HeroFaceOff driving the No. 88 Nationwide Batman Chevrolet SS.
Austin Dillon won the pole for Sunday’s race.