Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson flash Hendrick Motorsports' signature speed

JOLIET, Ill. — Hendrick Motorsports is back.

No, a Hendrick car didn’t win Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. The organization extended its winless streak to 22 races, which NBC Sports said tied the organization’s longest such streak since 1994.

But Jimmie Johnson and Chase Elliott certainly showed up with the team’s famous speed once again, combining to lead 193 of 270 laps.

It wasn’t a happy occasion because Johnson was nailed for a pit road speeding penalty late in the race and Elliott lost his shot at the win thanks to a caution with four laps to go. Johnson finished 12th and Elliott was third.

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Still, it was a very promising sign for Hendrick fans who have suffered through a season dominated by Toyota cars (which have won 14 of 27 races).

“Very, very proud of the effort, just so bummed,” Johnson said after using three expletives in frustration. “Damn it.”

Added Johnson: “This week we had (the speed) for sure.”

Martin Truex Jr., who won the race, said he wasn't surprised at all by Hendrick's speed.

"I mean it's the Chase, it's the 48 car," he said. "What do you expect, right? They lay in the weeds, sandbag. ... That's just how they play the game."

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Elliott said he expected the late caution, which thwarted his chances, because “we know these races don’t go green that long, typically.”

But like Johnson, he found some solace in the speed of his No. 24 car.

“We are proud of that (speed); we are proud of the run we had today,” he said. “Obviously, hate to come up short, but that is part of life some days. We were fast and I think that is something to be happy about and we can move forward to Loudon (next week) with some motivation.”