The two-time Xfinity Series champion from Corning, California, led the final 16 laps and muscled away from Elliott en route to his first win in his 92nd start in NASCAR's premier series.
The Winston, Georgia, native commenced his first full-time Xfinity campaign with Richard Childress Racing on a high note by winning the season-opening event at Daytona.
A pair of youngsters rallied from an early multi-car wreck and their share of on-track challenges to post top-15 results at Talladega and keep their championship hopes alive.
The Welcome, North Carolina, native backed up his run at Darlington by posting a top-five run at Richmond and recording his first back-to-back top-five results in the Cup circuit.