Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards (back) are second and third, respectively in points. That's also their starting positions at Phoenix. Credit: Autostock

Johnson, Edwards lead Chase pack in quals

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Chasers took a back seat to a fresh face in Denny Hamlin on Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway, but the 10 drivers in contention for the Nextel Cup championship acquitted themselves well in qualifying for the Checker Auto Parts 500.

Jimmie Johnson, who has never qualified all that well at PIR, led the Chasers by qualifying on the outside of the front row. His lap at 26.965 seconds, 133.506 mph was the best among the top 10. His starting average at PIR is smack in the middle (fifth) at 16.500, but his finishing average of 9.500 is second among the Chasers.

Inside the Chase Checker Auto Parts 500 (Qualifying Results) Pos. Driver Speed Time 2. J. Johnson 133.506 26.965 3. C. Edwards 133.457 26.975 4. G. Biffle 133.432 26.980 9. T. Stewart 132.768 27.115 11. R. Newman 132.758 27.117 16. M. Kenseth 132.548 27.160 17. Ku. Busch 132.543 27.161 26. R. Wallace 131.762 27.322 29. M. Martin 131.690 27.337 39. J. Mayfield 130.667 27.551 • Complete Lineup, click here On the moveJohnson nabs outside pole for Checker Auto Parts 500 Close callEdwards may not have pole but he has shot at win In the huntAfter Phoenix qualifying run Biffle knows he's in hunt Eyes on prizeTony Stewart will start 9th this Sunday at Phoenix Not done yetDespite practice crash Newman has a good quals run Solid runKurt Busch is pleased with his qualifying run at Phoenix Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

Carl Edwards, winner of the past two events and on a sweet swing of momentum, qualified his Ford third-fastest at 26.975 seconds, 133.457 mph. Average start and finishes haven't played that much a role for Edwards since he has so few starts at most tracks, so his starting average of 20.000 and finishing average of 22.000 rank eighth among Chasers.

Greg Biffle, the forgotten man in the championship hunt, had an average start of 17.000 entering Saturday, but his fourth-best lap of 26.980 seconds, 133.432 mph will change that for next season. His finishing average of 23.000 is ninth among Chasers.

Points leader Tony Stewart qualified his Chevrolet ninth, clicking off a lap at 27.115 seconds, 132.768 mph. Stewart, who won here in his rookie season, averages 14.714 per PIR start and 12.428 per finish.

For the second consecutive week, Ryan Newman crashed when he hit the wall in practice, and as a result he did not qualify in the top 10. He landed 11th, which will raise his always-gaudy starting average from its current 7.500. His finishing average is 19.666, good for sixth among Chasers. Newman's lap at 27.117 seconds, 132.758 mph was the best for Dodge.

Matt Kenseth timed in 16th at 27.160 seconds, 132.548 mph, which was much better than his Chase-worst starting average of 24.666. Kenseth averages 21.833 per PIR finish.

Kurt Busch, who won here in the spring, slotted in just behind Kenseth in 17th, clicking off a lap 27.161 seconds, 132.545 mph. Busch has never done all that well in qualifying, averaging 19.500 per start, but his finishing average of 12.000 is third-best.

Rusty Wallace made his last qualifying run at PIR and wound up 26th. As the owner of the best starting average among Chasers (7.055), it was below his usual effort. His finishing average of 16.888 is fifth among Chasers. His lap was at 27.332 seconds, 131.762 mph.

Mark Martin wound up 29th in his Ford, timing in at 27.337 seconds, 131.690 mph. That's well below his usual performance. Martin has the third-best starting average (10.055) and the best average finish among the title contenders at 9.055.

Jeremy Mayfield did not have a good afternoon, qualifying 39th at 27.577 seconds, 130.667 mph. Mayfield's average start is 21.090 (ninth) and his finishing average is a Chase-worst 26.363.

Manufacturers saw Chevrolets both make the top 10 (Johnson and Stewart), while the Fords were third, fourth, 16th, 17th and 26th. Dodges were 11th (Newman) and 39th (Mayfield).