NASCAR Michigan 2013 qualifying results: Carl Edwards earns Michigan pole

In a NASCAR season thus far defined by its lack of speed when compared to the Toyota- and Chevrolet-powered teams, Ford flexed its muscle in qualifying Friday at Michigan International Speedway.

With a lap of 202.452, Carl Edwards won the pole position for Sunday’s Quicken Loans 400, the first time a Ford driver has secured the No. 1 spot in qualifying this season.

Ford in the last two weeks has put greater emphasis on Roush Fenway Racing and Penske Racing working together. The manufacturer even went as far as holding a meeting between Jack Roush and Roger Penske on Monday to improve communication between the two teams.

If qualifying is any indication, the renewed sense of teamwork should have Ford in contention for just its second victory of the year on Sunday. Michigan has historically been a strong track for Ford, with its 32 victories leading all manufacturers, including a win last August by Edwards’ Roush teammate, Greg Biffle

“We’ve been working very hard and trying to turn the corner with these Ford Fusions to make them faster,” Edwards said. “I just cannot wait to race this race car. ... There isn’t a faster car on the track than our car and to us that’s a big deal.”

This is Edwards’ 12th career pole and his first since leading the field to the green flag in the 2012 Daytona 500. He had started first at Talladega in May after qualifying was canceled and the field was set by practice times.

Alongside Edwards on the front row will be Kurt Busch, who for the fourth time in nine races will start first or second. Kasey Kahne, Paul Menard and Aric Almirola rounded out the top five qualifiers. Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya completed the top 10.

Defending race-winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. posted the 12th-quickest lap. Points leader Jimmie Johnson, who won last week at Pocono, qualified 17th. Danica Patrick will start 37th. The only driver who did not qualify was Scott Riggs.

Complete Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan Startling Lineup

1) Carl Edwards

2) Kurt Busch

3) Kasey Kahne

4) Paul Menard

5) Aric Almirola

6) Joey Logano

7) Austin Dillon

8) Matt Kenseth

9) Kyle Busch

10) Juan Pablo Montoya

11) Denny Hamlin

12) Dale Earnhardt Jr.

13) Martin Truex Jr.

14) Tony Stewart

15) Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

16) Brad Keselowski

17) Jimmie Johnson

18) Jeff Burton

19) Greg Biffle

20) Bobby Labonte

21) Kevin Harvick

22) Mark Martin

23) Marcos Ambrose

24) Casey Mears

25) Trevor Bayne

26) David Gilliland

27) Clint Bowyer

28) Jamie McMurray

29) Jeff Gordon

30) Michael McDowell

31) David Ragan

32) AJ Allmendinger

33) David Reutimann

34) David Stremme

35) Ryan Newman

36) Dave Blaney

37) Danica Patrick

38) Josh Wise

39) Ken Schrader

40) JJ Yeley

41) Travis Kvapil

42) Joe Nemechek

43) Mike Bliss