Kahne's #9 pit crew kept his nose in front through the first round of stops although he now had to deal with a new group of rivals in the form of Labonte's superbly driven #43 Petty Enterprises Dodge and the #24 Chevrolet of Jeff Gordon. However Kahne rebutted concerted attacks from both drivers to maintain his lead and settled into a comfortable holding pattern with Gordon as the race reached the 200-lap mark.
The yellow flags were out again on lap 210 as Denny Hamlin's 53 race finishing streak came to a smoky end when the already replaced engine in his #11 Joe Gibbs Chevy went bang. From 43rd on the grid Hamlin has driven as high as sixth under green flag conditions before the problems arose.
Once again Kahne's crew proved themselves to be the fastest as the leaders descended on pit road for a second time with Gordon, Earnhardt Jr, Edwards and Kurt Busch seemingly unable to do anything about the fleeing #9 car.
Earnhardt Jr took second from Gordon on lap 235 shortly after the third caution period for AJ Allmendinger's spin with Aric Almirola and was able to stabilise, and occasionally close, the gap to Kahne. As another unseasonably long green flag run progressed both Earnhardt Jr, Edwards and Busch were able to reel Kahne in as the race passed the 300-lap mark and began a period of intense close quarters action that finally resulted in Edwards and Earnhardt Jr wrestling the lead from Kahne on lap 335.
Although Kahne would remain near the head of the pack, he would not lead another lap as the leaders worked through their only green flag pitstops of the night with 150 laps to go.
The caution flag did appear again just before the end of the pitstop cycle when Ragan went for the first of three spins as his Roush-Fenway Ford began jumping out of gear although the appearance of the safety car did little to alter the overall leaderboard other than to trap Gordon one lap down in 18th position.
