It looked like seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson was mounting a return to victory lane as the 44-year old driver, who entered the day on a 99-race losing streak, impressed by taking the lead on lap 81 in Stage 1 of Sunday’s The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway.
On the final lap of the Stage, Johnson, who was leading, spun and slammed into the wall. Ending his bid for the Stage win, and ending his bid at erasing his 99-race winless drought as well.
CRASH for Jimmie Johnson on the last lap of Stage 1. He was leading. Wow.#NASCARIsBack pic.twitter.com/EJcr5isIL5
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 17, 2020
William Byron, who won three of the virtual iRacing Pro Invitational events during the COVID-19 shut down, slipped by for the Stage win.
Denny Hamlin finished the Stage in second, Alex Bowman was third, Kevin Harvick ended up fourth and Brad Keselowski who started from the pole was fifth.
Aric Almirola, Clint Bowyer and rookie Tyler Reddick were sixth through eighth.
Meanwhile, Ryan Newman, who is making his return to racing after sustaining injuries in a frightening Daytona 500 crash ended the stage in ninth.
Chase Elliott rounded out the top-10 finishers in Stage 1.
