NASCAR Cup Series

Jimmie Johnson hits Kurt Busch, cuts tire in Stage 2 at Kansas

Published May. 13, 2017 9:33 p.m. ET

Tom Jensen

A second Hendrick Motorsports driver encountered troubles in the Go Bowling 400 at Kansas Speedway.

Seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson was attempting to pass 2004 champ Kurt Busch on the frontstretch at around the Lap-100 mark.

The two touched briefly, and the contact resulted in a flat left-rear tire on Johnson’s No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
As Johnson circulated around the track, debris from his tire tore up some of the bodywork on his car, leading NASCAR to throw a caution flag on Lap 102.

Because Johnson had to circulate at low speed with the flat tire, he fell off the lead lap. Johnson, who is tied with Jeff Gordon for most career wins at Kansas, restarted 36th in the race.

Earlier in the race, Johnson’s teammate Chase Elliott was taken out of contention for the victory when he collided with Michael McDowell on pit road.