JOLIET, Ill. – Sunday afternoon at Chicagoland Speedway, Chase Elliott led his teammates to the checkered flag with a runner-up finish.
Elliott consistently ran in the top five throughout the day and took the checkered flag behind the leader for a second-place result.
“Our NAPA Chevy was solid and a lot better than we have been. That’s a testament to this team and the lack of quit that everybody has,” Elliott said. “We did good today and we need to have more days like this.”
Jimmie Johnson joined him inside the top 10, taking the checkered flag in eighth.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne finished in 17th and 21st, respectively.
Martin Truex Jr. captured the win.
Below is a closer look at how the Hendrick Motorsports drivers fared at the tri-oval track.
KASEY KAHNE, NO. 5 GREAT CLIPS STRONG AGAINST CANCER CHEVROLET SS
FINISHED: 21st
RECAP: Kahne took the green flag in 25th and advanced through the field for a 16th-place Stage 1 finish. He took the Stage 2 green-checkered flag in 21st. The No. 5 Great Clips Strong Against Cancer Chevrolet SS team made a pit stop for four tires, fuel and adjustments and restarted the final segment in 21st. The next pit stop came under caution on Lap 213. Kahne took four tires, fuel and adjustments and restarted in 24th. He proceeded to pick up three positions and ran in 21st with 20 laps to go in the race. Kahne held on to his track position and took the checkered flag in 21st.
CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 24 NAPA BRAKES CHEVROLET SS
FINISHED: 2nd
RECAP: Elliott started the race in eighth and quickly broke into the top five. He took the Stage 1 green-checkered flag in third. He continued to make progress in the second stage. He took the Stage 2 green flag in fourth and quickly moved to second-place and then took the lead after a round of green-flag pit stops. He maintained the lead throughout the remainder of the stage to capture the Stage 2 win. Elliott restarted for the final segment as the leader in the outside lane. He fell to second on the restart, however, but continued to run in the top five. Elliott and the No. 24 NAPA Brakes Chevrolet SS team made their next pit stop during the fourth caution of the race. He restarted in third with 52 laps to go. Elliott then reclaimed second place on Lap 228. He fought to catch the leader but finished with a runner-up result.
JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS
FINISHED: 8th
RECAP: Johnson rolled off the grid 14th and finished Stage 1 just outside of the top 10 in 11th. He restarted in 12th and battled the handling of his car throughout Stage 2, taking the green-checkered flag in 11th. He gained one position on pit road prior to the final segment and restarted 10th. The No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS team made its next pit stop on Lap 213 for four tires, fuel and adjustments. Johnson restarted in ninth. With 36 laps to go, Johnson gained one position and moved up to eighth. He maintained his eighth-place position throughout the remainder of the race for a top-10 finish at Chicagoland.
DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 88 AXALTA CHEVROLET SS
FINISHED: 17th
RECAP: Earnhardt started Sunday’s race in 20th and maintained that position for a 20th-place Stage 1 finish. He restarted in 24th for Stage 2. Following a green-flag pit stop, Earnhardt was scored 28th at the conclusion of the second stage. He restarted in 20th for the final segment. Earnhardt made an additional pit stop for tires under yellow on Lap 169. The No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet SS team made a pit stop during the caution on Lap 213 for tires and fuel. With 12 laps to go, Earnhardt picked up one position and moved into 17th-place. He held onto his track position and finished in 17th.