NASCAR All-Star Race 2013 qualifying results: In wild qualifying session, Edwards claims pole

In what was a unique and wild round of qualifying it was Carl Edwards who came out on top, claiming the pole for Saturday’s All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The session featured a break from normal qualifying protocol and called for drivers to make three laps around the 1.5-mile oval along with a mandatory four-tire pit stop. But unlike a typical NASCAR weekend, there was no speed limit on pit road and drivers were allowed to go as fast as they wish with some hitting 157 mph as they sped to their pit stall.

“This is so unbelievable, because we tried so hard,” said Edwards who completed his three laps and required pit stop in 1-minute, 51-seconds with an average speed of 145.556 mph. “This is such an exciting qualifying format.

“There’s so much pressure, and to get the pole -- it’s spectacular. Our car was fast. Our pit crew was fast. It was awesome.”

Starting alongside Edwards will be Kurt Busch. Dale Earnhardt Jr. clocked the fastest average speed and had qualified second, but it was determined that his team had left a lug nut loose and he incurred a five-second penalty, falling to 15th on the grid.

Earnhardt wasn’t the only driver to find trouble, as Jimmie Johnson (qualified 18th) and Kevin Harvick (no time) were among those who blew through their pit boxes.

Despite the setback, Johnson raved on Twitter that new qualifying format was “awesome.”

Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano rounded out the top-five qualifiers.

Earlier Friday, Martin Truex Jr. won the pole for the preliminary Sprint Showdown.

Complete Sprint All-Star Race Starting Lineup:

1) Carl Edwards

2) Kurt Busch

3) Greg Biffle

4) Kyle Busch

5) Joey Logano

6) Clint Bowyer

7) Denny Hamlin

8) Mark Martin

9) Kasey Kahne

10) Jeff Gordon

11) Ryan Newman

12) Brad Keselowski

13) Tony Stewart

14) David Ragan

15) Dale Earnhardt Jr.

16) Matt Kenseth

17) Marcos Ambrose

18) Jimmie Johnson

19) Kevin Harvick