Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

Carl Edwards (left) talks with SPEED TV's Kenny Wallace after Edwards drew the pole position for the Budweiser Shootout...

Carl Edwards Draws Pole For Budweiser Shootout
Posted February 5, 2010; Source - Track Communications, edited

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 4, 2010) – Carl Edwards had the lucky hand at Thursday night’s draw party and pulled the pole position for Saturday’s Budweiser Shootout at historic Daytona International Speedway.

“It’s the first race of the season and it will be nice to be up front,” said Edwards, who drives the No. 99 Roush Fenway Ford. “It’s been a while since I’ve been on a pole. I know I didn’t earn this one. It’s all luck, but it still feels good.”

Defending Budweiser Shootout champion Kevin Harvick remained at home in North Carolina after suffering flu-like symptoms. Harvick’s crew chief Gil Martin drew for the ailing Harvick and pulled the outside pole.

Rounding out the top five were Brian Vickers, Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle.

Burton was fastest in Thursday's first practice for the Shootout, Kahne was fastest in the second and final practice under the lights Thursday. Two wrecks marred the practice sessions, with seven cars involved in the first (in the first session) and two cars involved in the second (in the second session). Six drivers will go to backup cars: Denny Hamlin, Mark Martin, Jamie McMurray, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch.

Both wrecks seemed to be initiated by the much-faster closing speed of the cars now that they have bigger carburetor restrictor plates, having picked up close to three miles per hour over last years speed at Daytona.

The 32nd annual Budweiser Shootout will be a 75-lap no-holds barred classic featuring a star-studded line-up with new criteria.

Drivers eligible include:

• The 12 drivers who qualified for the 2009 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup
• Past NASCAR Sprint Cup champions
• Past Budweiser Shootout champions
• Past Daytona 500 and Coke Zero powered by Coca-Cola champions
• The reigning Raybestos Rookie of the Year

2010 Budweiser Shootout Draw Positions/Starting Lineup*

1. Carl Edwards
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Brian Vickers
4. Ryan Newman
5. Greg Biffle
6. Mark Martin
7. Jeff Burton
8. Matt Kenseth
9. Jamie McMurray
10. John Andretti
11. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
12. Bobby Labonte
13. Tony Stewart
14. Ken Schrader
15. Michael Waltrip
16. Jimmie Johnson
17. Kyle Busch
18. Derrike Cope
19. Kasey Kahne
20. Juan Pablo Montoya
21. Joey Logano
22. Kurt Busch
23. Jeff Burton
24. Denny Hamlin

*Lineup subject to change depending on backup car rules...

Four NASCAR veterans who are either retired or semi-retired declined invitations to participate in the 2010 Budweiser Shootout: Geoff Bodine, Bill Elliott, Terry Labonte and Sterling Marlin.

The Budweiser Shootout at Daytona is set for Saturday night - click here for more event fast Facts, including broadcast times. Click here for Budweiser Shootout Trivia.