Edwards draws Shootout pole

Carl Edwards starts from pole position for the Budweiser Shootout on Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway.

Patrick qualifies 12th on stock car debut

Carl Edwards starts from pole position for the Budweiser Shootout on Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway. The starting line-up for the 24-car field was determined by a draw Thursday ahead of the 75-lap race, which will be broken into segments of 25 and 50 laps. Last year's winner Kevin Harvick drew the second spot but will likely drop back during the race - a bout of 'flu meaning he has been unable to take part in practice. The last time Edwards was on pole for a Sprint Cup event was at Bristol in August 2008. "It's the first race of the season, and it will be nice to be up front," he said. "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." Kurt Busch (22nd), Denny Hamlin (24th) and Mark Martin (6th) are expected to be sent to the back of the field because they never practiced their backup cars after crashes. Meanwhile, stock car racing debutant Danica Patrick qualified 12th of 47 runners for Saturday's Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA race. She had claimed the provisional pole at 179.788 mph before being bumped down the field - last year's race winner James Buescher eventually setting the fastest time. Patrick is running a limited NASCAR programme this year in addition to contesting the IndyCar series. Budweiser Shootout line-up:1. Carl Edwards, Roush Fenway Racing No. 99 Ford
2. Kevin Harvick, Richard Childress Racing No. 29 Chevrolet
3. Brian Vickers, Red Bull Racing No. 83 Toyota
4. Ryan Newman, Stewart-Haas Racing No. 39 Chevrolet
5. Greg Biffle, Roush Fenway Racing No. 16 Ford
6. Mark Martin, Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet
7. Jeff Burton, Richard Childress Racing No. 31 Chevrolet
8. Matt Kenseth, Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 Ford
9. Jamie McMurray, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing No. 1 Chevrolet
10. John Andretti, Front Row Motorsports No. 34 Ford
11. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet
12. Bobby Labonte, TRG Motorsports No. 71 Chevrolet
13. Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 Chevrolet
14. Ken Schrader, Red Bull Racing No. 82 Toyota
15. Michael Waltrip, Michael Waltrip Racing No. 51 Toyota
16. Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet
17. Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota
18. Derrike Cope, Cope/Keller Racing No. 75 Dodge
19. Kasey Kahne, Richard Petty Motorsports No. 9 Ford
20. Juan Pablo Montoya, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing No. 42 Chevrolet
21. Joey Logano, Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Toyota
22. Kurt Busch, Penske Racing No. 2 Dodge
23. Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet
24. Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota