Carl Edwards beat strong challenges from Jacques Villeneuve and Colin Braun to grab top starting spot for the NASCAR Nationwide Series' inaugural race at Road America. With his 21st pole in NNS, Edwards hopes to make substantial inroads into the 272-point lead that Brad Keselowski has established. Keselowski will be 13th past the green flag in this afternoon's race.
However, Edwards, who won at Montreal's NNS race last year at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, can expect strong opposition from Gilles' son who has been strong throughout practice. Jacques' Toyota was more than 0.4sec off Edwards' 2m14.838sec (108.076mph) time in the No. 60 Ford, but most people are expecting a plethora of yellow flag periods, and Villeneuve's aggressive style will see the former F1 and Indy car champion grabbing every opportunity he gets - or creates.
Behind Braun, Brad Coleman, Michael McDowell, Brendan Gaughan, Patrick Long and Paul Menard complete the first four rows. Traditional roadcourse ringer Ron Fellows will start 12th, while Penske's Justin Allgaier, currently third in the points, was unable to maintain his superb practice form and will take the green in 18th.