Edwards captures first career pole

FONTANA, Calif. -- Carl Edwards led a Roush Racing sweep of the top four spots in Saturday's qualifying for the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at California Speedway.

It was the first career pole for Edwards, one of six drivers competing for the final three spots in the Chase for the championship.

"I'm not the greatest qualifier, and I'm learning a lot," said Edwards, who has won two races in his first full season in Cup racing. "I'm really excited to get to start up front in a race that we really need to run well in."

The 26-year-old Edwards, driving in only his 38th race in NASCAR's top series, turned a lap of 185.061 mph Saturday to beat out Mark Martin's 184.833 for the top spot in Sunday's Sony HD 500. They were followed by the Roush Fords of Kurt Busch at 184.403 and Greg Biffle at 184.370.