Carl Edwards has claimed the number one starting position for next Sunday's Daytona 500 after circling the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway at 194.738 mph in qualifying this afternoon.

Roush Racing and Ford swept the front row with Edwards' teammate, Greg Biffle, posting a lap at 194.087 mph to earn the outside pole.

“It feels really nice," Edwards said. "This is our second pole in a row, so it feels nice to pick up right where we left off."

Dale Earnhardt Jr., last year's polesitter, qualified third followed by Marcos Ambrose, Casey Mears, Jeff Gordon, Martin Truex Jr., Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, and Tony Stewart.

Edwards and Biffle benefited from having their runs early in the qualifying session as wind gusts picked up as the afternoon wore on. Edwards was the fifth driver to make a qualifying attempt while Biffle was the ninth driver on the track. Qualifying order was determined through a random draw held on Saturday.

With Edwards and Biffle locked in the race based on their qualifying times the rest of the 43-car starting field will be set according to the finishing order in Thursday's Gatorade Duels.

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