Edwards claims Coors Light Pole

Carl Edwards

No driver was able to break Marcos Ambrose’s track qualifying record of 203.241 mph, but Carl Edwards came close in qualifying for the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Friday.

Edwards averaged a best speed of 202.452 mph as he ran his second lap in 35.564 seconds to earn his first career Coors Light pole at one of his best tracks. The Roush Fenway Racing driver managed to stave off a challenge from Kurt Busch, who hit the track fourth from last. Busch qualified at 201.879 mph (35.665).

Kasey Kahne (201.213, 35.783), who topped the leaderboard in the opening practice earlier Friday, was third. Paul Menard (200.803. 35.856), who is also running in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race, and Aric Almirola (200.764, 35.863) rounded out the top five.

The top 10 includes Joey Logano (sixth), Austin Dillon, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya.

Defending race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 12th, while points leader Jimmie Johnson, looking for his first Michigan victory, was 17th, one spot behind defending Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski.

Tony Stewart, who has been on a roll of late, was 14th after having to switch to a back-up car during practice after brushing the wall.

Ryan Newman was unable to build off his top-five finish at Pocono, qualifying 35th.

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