The Latest: William Byron leads 1st stage at Sonoma Raceway

SONOMA, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on the NASCAR Cup Series race in Sonoma (all times local):

12:53 p.m.

William Byron has led every lap of the NASCAR Cup Series race through the first stage at Sonoma Raceway.

Byron earned his first stage victory while leading the first laps of his career on a road course. He led Denny Hamlin by more than 9.3 seconds at the break, taking advantage of clean air in front of him to dominate the early going.

Defending champion Martin Truex Jr. and Chase Elliott were running near the front when they decided to pit with two laps left in the stage.

Michael McDowell spun on contact with Kevin Harvick shortly before the stage ended, but he pulled out of it and kept going.

Kurt Busch had early tire trouble after making contact with Clint Bowyer.

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