SPEEDWAY, Ind. – Fifty laps are complete at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Jimmie Johnson led his teammates to the green-checkered flag in ninth at the end of Stage 1.
The race was red flagged after the 12th lap due to inclement weather, but Johnson got right back to work when the green flag dropped again.
Due to a gear change, Johnson and the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet SS team started the race from the rear of the field. But after the rain delay restart, Johnson quickly worked all the way up to the top 10.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined him inside of the top 10 in 10th.
Both Johnson and Earnhardt earned bonus points for their top-10 results in Stage 1.
Kasey Kahne finished the segment in 16th.
Chase Elliott fell back through the field just before a competition caution midway through the stage due to engine issues. The No. 24 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet SS team worked on the car during the caution and Elliott returned to the track, but the problems returned and ended the driver's day early. He was scored 39th.
"This is the first engine problem I've ever had (in the NASCAR Cup Series), so I'll take those odds all day long," Elliott said. "Still have the best engine shop in the business. And that’s gonna happen, we’re pushing it, as everyone is, so we’ll move on to next week."
Kyle Busch won the stage.
Stage 2 will consist of another 50 laps before a final 60-lap segment.