SONOMA, Calif. -- With the first 25 laps at Sonoma Raceway in the books, one Hendrick Motorsports driver is inside the top 10 and another is knocking on the door.
Kasey Kahne led his teammates to the green-checkered flag in ninth, picking up two extra points in the process.
Chase Elliott was the next Hendrick Motorsports driver to cross the line in 11th. He was running inside the top 10 before pitting during a caution with 11 laps to go in the stage, and nearly jumped back into the points-paying top 10 before the end of the segment.
Jimmie Johnson was also running inside the top 10 before heading to pit road just prior to the end of the segment, working on a pit strategy with the No. 48 team. He ultimately finished the stage in 26th.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was also running inside the top 10 with 11 laps remaining in the segment, but locked his brakes as he was battling with a competitor, spinning out and causing a caution. He was penalized for speeding exiting pit road and restarted at the rear of the field.
LIke Johnson, he headed back to pit road just before the end of the segment and finished Stage 1 in 36th.
Martin Truex Jr. won the stage.
Stage 2 will consist of another 25 laps before a final, 60-lap segment.