Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth had a rocky time at Pocono, where they started 20th and 26th, respectively.
Johnson, who managed to lead the race briefly when he was off fuel cycle, had battled his way as high as fourth place when he ran into Marcos Ambrose while exiting his pit stall during a caution on Lap 75. Crew chief Chad Knaus accepted responsibility.
“He (Knaus) thought the No. 9 had left his pit box, so there was just confusion on pit road,” said Johnson, who ended up spinning his car after contact. “I feel terrible for the No. 9 guys and hurting their race car. [There was] also a tire changer and tire carrier on the right front of the No. 51 (Justin Allgaier) car – and how I didn’t hit those guys is beyond me. It wouldn’t have been good.”
Kenseth, who finished 25th to remain second in the point standings behind Jeff Gordon (eighth), failed to mount a challenge on Sunday. His crew did all it could to repair the nose of his Toyota after early-race contact with Jamie McMurray punched a hole in the front end and damaged his hood.
Kenseth’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin, a four-time winner at Pocono, was strong enough to lead three times for four laps, but was never positioned to challenge Brad Keselowski or Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the final laps.
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