Carl Edwards snags All-Star Race pole

Charlotte, NC – Driving the finely tuned Fastenal Ford, Carl Edwards flashed to the pole position for tonight’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. His speed for the unique qualifying format was 146.915 miles per hour.

The Missouri native went out late in the qualification order and learning from his peers, Edwards couldn’t be denied as he powered to the coveted pole position.

According to Edwards, he had a qualifying plan but abandoned it during the three-lap run. “I had a plan to come on pit road, but threw it out the window coming on to pit road, thinking I was going entirely too fast and thought I was going to run out in the grass,” he said. “Fortunately, I got it all slowed down and the guys had a great pit stop. This is fun.”

For Edwards, it is his second consecutive All-Star pole.

Kyle Busch put his M&M’s Toyota into the second spot with a run of 145.791 mph.

Trailing the front-row duo were Kevin Harvick, Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Sprint Showdown winner Clint Bowyer and Joey Logano.

After having to jam it into reverse after blowing past his pit stall, Tony Stewart's team was forced to give his No. 14 a new transmission, rear end gear, driveshaft, and axle.

In total, 22 drivers will start the five-segment 90-lap race.

The race action starts at approximately 9:10 p.m. tonight and will be carried live by FOX Sports 1.