TALADEGA, Ala. – Stage 2 is in the books at Talladega Superspeedway and the Hendrick Motorsports drivers were once again led by Jimmie Johnson.
Around Lap 96 Johnson broke into the top five and continued to run with the front of the field to finish Stage 2 in fifth. That earned him six extra points.
Kasey Kahne made moves to the front of the pack in Stage 2 and scored a points-paying eighth-place finish. That position earned him three extra points.
Chase Elliott took the green-checkered flag in 12th.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. battled his way up to second place by Lap 96 but dropped back after contact with a competitor. He finished the stage in 19th.
Denny Hamlin won the stage.
The race will conclude with a final 78-lap segment.