Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson wrecked while leading on the final lap of the first stage at Darlington.

Johnson had passed Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman for the lead with 10 laps remaining in the first stage at Darlington. He was trying to earn his first stage victory of the season — and only his third ever under this system – when Johnson ran into the back of Chris Buescher as he was trying to put Buescher a lap down.

“Gosh, what I would do to get that corner back to do it over again,” Johnson said who’s career long winless drought extends to 100. “Coming to the end of the stage, I was just trying to make sure I got a good run off of turn two. I felt like I was going to be able to exit the corner side-by-side with him, things just went horribly wrong there. What a great car, I feel terrible for my team and everybody at Hendrick Motorsports. I’m very thankful for Ally and all of their support. We have great race cars and things are coming in the right direction, just unfortunate that things didn’t really turn out there off of turn two.”

Johnson arrived at Darlington with just 13 laps led in the first four events of the year. He is scheduled to retire from full-time competition at the end of the season.

“I don’t want one single person to get down,” Johnson crew chief Cliff Daniels said, pointing out that the team arrived with a strong car that led laps. “We’ve got a great race car, so don’t you get down.” 

The crash ended the day for Johnson (38th place), while his Hendrick teammate William Byron inherited the lead and was credited with the stage victory.

Johnson, had a strong car for the early portion of Sunday’s race too. He ran in the top 5 for a majority of it but now leaves with his third finish outside of the top 10 in five tries in 2020 including his sixth straight sub 10th place run at Darlington with three of his last five being 33rd or worse.