Edwards and Biffle make it a Roush Sweep in Daytona on Pole Day

Carl Edwards had already realized on Saturday afternoon in practice he had a fast race car, but didn’t realize he was going to be able to beat out his teammate Greg Biffle who had posted the fastest two times all weekend in practice.

On Saturday, Edwards drew the fifth run in the qualifying session for Coors Light Qualifying on Sunday.  With a lap at 194.738 mph (46.216 seconds) Edwards beat out his teammate Greg Biffle (194.087 mph) for the pole in Sunday’s Daytona 500 qualifying session.  It was Carl Edwards first career Coors Light Pole Award at Daytona International Speedway and on a restrictor plate track, along with being the only time he’s ever started on the front row for the Daytona 500.

This is a very, very speedy Fastenal [Ford] Fusion, and I appreciate [crew chief] Bob Osborne and all the work he’s done,” Edwards said. “[Engine builder] Doug Yates — the engines are so important in this.

“It’s neat to come down here and to be so fast and to really have fun qualifying here. We’ve struggled so much in the past, and so many guys have put so much effort in this offseason.”

In the past, Carl Edwards’ average start at Daytona has been 17.9.  The sweep of the front row was the first that Roush Fenway Racing has swept the front row for the Daytona 500, and the first time since 2004 that two Ford drivers swept the front row for the event.