HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- The 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season finale is underway, and after 80 laps, Chase Elliott is leading his teammates at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Elliott finished Stage 1 in sixth, battling inside the top 10 for the majority of the segment after starting the race outside the top 15.
Stage 1 featured long stretches of green-flag racing, and as a result many cars fell a lap behind the leaders.
Elliott's three Hendrick Motorsports teammates were among those drivers.
Making his final start behind the wheel of the No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet SS, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the green-checkered flag in 20th, down one lap.
Kasey Kahne also found himself a lap down while taking the No. 5 Great Clips Chevrolet SS for one final ride. He finished Stage 1 in 27th.
Jimmie Johnson also lost a lap to the leaders, and when he made an unscheduled trip to pit road after making contact with the wall, he fell another lap down. He finished Stage 1 in 32nd.
Kyle Larson won the first stage.
Stage 2 will consist of another 80 laps before a final, 107-lap segment.