Johnson's problems part of another rough day in Michigan for Hendrick cars

BROOKLYN, Mich. – Jimmie Johnson's exit was only the beginning. It was another rough day for Hendrick Motorsports in Michigan.

Johnson, NASCAR's Sprint Cup points leader, was knocked out Sunday after 54 laps when he blew his engine, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car was damaged when he slammed into the wall on the135th lap. Johnson finished 40th, and Earnhardt was 36th.

Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon did complete all 200 laps, with Kahne finishing seventh and Gordon 17th — but Gordon slipped to 14th place in the standings, and he could be on the outside looking in during the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

During the Cup race at MIS in June, all four Hendrick drivers failed to crack the top 25.