AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Carl Edwards had the fastest lap on one of the fastest days ever at Phoenix International Raceway, setting a track record Saturday to earn the pole and a chance to win two straight races in the desert.
Edwards, coming off a second-place finish at the Daytona 500, ran a lap of 137.279 mph to barely edge Kurt Busch on the final qualifying session before the track is repaved.
On a cloudy, cool day in the desert, 15 drivers eclipsed the old qualifying record of 136.389 mph, set by Edwards on his way to winning last fall. Kasey Kahne qualified third and Kyle Busch will start next to him for Sunday’s 500-mile race around the crack-filled mile oval.
