Rain was the big winner at Talladega Superspeedway as persistent showers canceled qualifying for Sunday’s Aaron’s 499.
NASCAR Talladega 2013 qualifying results: Rain gives Carl Edwards Aaron’s 499 pole
Carl Edwards was the big beneficiary as rain canceled qualifying for Sunday’s NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Sean Gardner
Per the NASCAR rule book, the starting lineup was set using a combination of practice speeds, owner points and the number of qualifying attempts made this season.
After setting the fast time in opening practice Friday with a lap of 199.650 mph, Carl Edwards inherits the pole and will be joined on the front row by Martin Truex Jr. Marcos Ambrose, Joey Logano and Ryan Newman round out the top five positions.
Although Edwards will lead the field to the green flag, he will not be credited with an official pole and does not gain entry into the 2014 Sprint Unlimited non-points event.
Because of the high probability that rain would wipeout qualifying, practice on Friday was far more dramatic than most practice sessions on the 2.6-mile oval, as drivers were determined to put down a lap time that would gain them a favorable starting spot on the grid.
“It was pretty exciting,” Edwards said. “We got the fastest lap with about one minute to go. That was our whole mission and I’m pretty proud of the fact that we ended up with the fastest time.”
Edwards is still looking for his first restrictor-plate race win in 34 combined starts at Talladega and its sister track, Daytona International Speedway.
One driver’s fortune was another’s misfortune, as Elliott Sadler was the only driver who did not qualify.
Denny Hamlin, making his return after missing four races with an injured back, will start seventh.
Complete Aaron’s 499 Starting Lineup at Talladega Superspeedway:
1) Carl Edwards
2) Martin Truex Jr.
3) Marcos Ambrose
4) Joey Logano
5) Ryan Newman
6) Matt Kenseth
7) Denny Hamlin
8) Jimmie Johnson
9) Jeff Gordon
10) Kasey Kahne
11) Brad Keselowski
12) Dale Earnhardt Jr.
13) Kyle Busch
14) Michael Waltrip
15) Trevor Bayne
16) Paul Menard
17) Greg Biffle
18) Aric Almirola
19) David Ragan
20) Clint Bowyer
21) Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
22) Casey Mears
23) Danica Patrick
24) Kevin Harvick
25) Tony Stewart
26) Josh Wise
27) David Stremme
28) Jamie McMurray
29) Jeff Burton
30) Juan Pablo Montoya
31) David Gilliland
32) Travis Kvapil
33) Kurt Busch
34) Regan Smith
35) David Reutimann
36) Scott Speed
37) Terry Labonte
38) Michael McDowell
39) Bobby Labonte
40) Dave Blaney
41) Joe Nemechek
42) Landon Cassill
43) JJ Yeley
DNQ: Elliott Sadler
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