HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Once more unto the breach, dear Chasers.

For the final time in 2008, the Chase for the Sprint Cup qualifiers put it on the line for speed, and the two drivers still alive for the title had vastly different outcomes on Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Carl Edwards, who must win and lead the most laps to have any shot at points leader Jimmie Johnson, did not look as if he was conceding anything to Johnson on his qualifying lap, and he will enjoy a big advantage when the green flag waves on Sunday.

Edwards' No. 99 Ford tripped the sensors at 171.418 mph, nearly a full mph faster than the early pole-sitter, Juan Montoya. He held the pole until teammate Matt Kenseth knocked him off toward the end of the top 35 session, and he will start fourth on Sunday as David Reutimann ended up taking the pole.

"We just go race as hard as we can," Edwards said. "No matter what happens to Jimmie, we have to run very well to have a chance to win this championship. ... It's still a great lap and it will get us a better spot than Jimmie's got, which is at least a start -- even if it's a small one."

Edwards has three top-10 finishes in four starts at Homestead, including two top-fives, and he'll start well ahead of Johnson on Sunday. In effect, Edwards's starting position places him 70 points ahead of Johnson, halving his point deficit in a single lap.

He'll also have better pit selection than Johnson will on Sunday.

"Pit selection will be big -- not as big as other places though because you can pass so easily here," Edwards said. "You can run all over this racetrack, but I'll take whatever I can get. This will make it a little easier to sleep tonight and have a little confidence going into the race."

Johnson, who has to finish 36th or better to clinch his third consecutive series title, put his No. 48 Chevrolet into the field at 169.252 mph, good for just 30th spot, and that will be a cause for concern in the hauler.

Johnson has never won at Homestead, though he has finished second twice and has five top-10 finishes in seven starts. Johnson's average finish is 13.4, while his only rival for the Cup, Edwards, leads the way at 7.8. (Continued)