CONCORD, N.C. -- Jimmie Johnson and Team Lowe's Racing finished fourth in Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
The non-points event consisted of four 25-lap segments, the first of which Johnson started from the 20th position after a penalty for pitting outside the box during Friday's qualifying session resulted in a disqualified time.
When the green flag waved over the 1.5-mile track, Johnson began driving through the field and moved into the top 10 by the end of the first segment, maintaining that position for the remainder of the night despite reporting a loose condition in the race car.
After a four-tire pit stop, Johnson started the second segment ninth, which is also where he finished.
The No. 48 team made significant changes to the Lowe's Impala SS during a 10-minute break before the third leg of the event, but Johnson continued to report a loose Chevy.
When Johnson came in for the team's final pit stop (between the third and fourth segments), crew chief Chad Knaus opted for track position over tires and called for a gas-only visit to pit road.
Because of the speedy stop, the Lowe's driver led the way off the pit lane and took the lead on the 24-car field. But after leading one lap, Johnson was unable to hold off those with fresh tires and fell back to finish fourth.
"We learned that track position is everything tonight," said Johnson. "We didn't make any adjustments and picked up a half a second in speed (after taking gas only). I really think we learned a lot tonight about our car even if we didn't win.
"We are making gains and I am happy about that," Johnson added. "I am happy to have a good run here at Lowe's, and we will have our Lowe's Impala tuned up for next weekend."
The Sprint Cup series will return to Lowe's Motor Speedway next weekend for the longest race of the season, the Coca Cola 600. That event will be broadcast live on FOX beginning with a pre-race show at 5 p.m. ET.
Kasey Kahne, who was voted into the All-Star event by a fan vote, took home the victory Saturday night. Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Johnson and Tony Stewart followed him to the line.
A.J. Allmendinger and Sam Hornish Jr. earned spots in the race by finishing first and second, respectively, in the qualifying Sprint Showdown.
ALL-STAR TOP-10 FINISHERS
1. Kasey Kahne
2. Greg Biffle
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Jimmie Johnson
5. Tony Stewart
6. Ryan Newman
7. Sam Hornish Jr.
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
9. Mark Martin
10. Carl Edwards
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS DRIVERS' FINISHING POSITIONS
4. Jimmie Johnson
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
13. Casey Mears
15. Jeff Gordon
TELEVISION SCHEDULE (All times ET)
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Thursday, May 22
Practice, 3 p.m. on SPEED
Qualifying, 7 p.m. on SPEED
Saturday, May 24
Practice, 2:45 p.m. (not broadcast)
Happy hour, 6 p.m. on SPEED
Sunday, May 25
Race, 5 p.m. on FOX
