Earnhardt Jr. edges Kahne for pole

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Kasey Kahne held off one DEI car but not the other.

Going out last in the 48-car field, Dale Earnhardt Jr. fired off a lap of 186.308 mph during Thursday's Bud Pole Qualifying to take the top spot for Friday night's NASCAR Busch Series Winn-Dixie 250 at Daytona International Speedway. It was the eighth Bud Pole of Earnhardt's Busch Series career.

Earnhardt, who had started second and third in his previous two Busch Series starts this season, is a perfect 2-for-2 in race victories.

Kahne's lap of 186.243 mph was good enough for the outside of the front row, just ahead of Michael Waltrip.

Bobby Hamilton Jr. and Mike Bliss rounded out the top five.

The pole winner's speed was well off the record pace of 194.389 mph, set by Tommy Houston in 1987

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