BRISTOL, Tenn. – With the first 125 laps of Saturday night’s race in the books, Chase Elliott is running inside the top five at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Elliott led two laps after moving to the front of the pack on Lap 5, and even after losing the lead he raced back into the runner-up position before the first caution flag of the race on Lap 61.
He ultimately finished Stage 1 fourth, leading his Hendrick Motorsports teammates to the green checkered flag and earning seven extra points in the process.
Jimmie Johnson, who began the race in 21st, found the top 10 on Lap 45. Just before the end of Stage 1, he jumped back into 10th to grab an extra point as the 10th-place driver.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. started the race 31st, but by Lap 22 he was already inside the top 20. He finished Stage 1 in the 21st position.
Despite qualifying third, Kasey Kahne started from the rear of the field due to an unapproved tire change after the No. 5 team found an issue with a tire after qualifying. He had made his way up to 22nd by the end of Stage 1.
Stage 2 at Bristol will consist of another 125 laps before a final, 250-lap segment.