Defending race champion Jimmie Johnson was out front at the midpoint of the Jeff Byrd 500, leading the 250th circuit under caution after a spin by Bobby Labonte.
The five-time defending Sprint Cup champion retained the lead on pit road and leads Kyle Busch as the race has gone back green.
The race has been particularly tame for a Bristol event, but the race is only halfway complete. There have been five caution flags, including one for a multi-car accident that ruined the race of potential contender Denny Hamlin. He has struggled with the damage to his car ever since and is two laps off the pace.
Among the leaders today, in addition to Johnson, have been Paul Menard, Martin Truex Jr., and Kevin Harvick. It was Harvick whom Johnson overhauled to grab the race lead for the first time today.
Pole winner Carl Edwards led the first 17 laps but has been mired just outside the top five most of the race.