Edwards on pole for All-Star Race

Carl Edwards captured the pole for the Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., paying tribute to the late Dick Trickle along the way.

Edwards, the 2011 winner in the exhibition event, completed three laps and a four-tire pit stop Friday night in 1 minute, 51.297 seconds.

Kurt Busch will start alongside Edwards on the front row tonight. Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch and Joe Logano round out the top five.

Edwards had Trickle’s name written just above his window, a tribute to the 71-year-old former NASCAR driver who died Thursday of what authorities said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Boger City, N.C.

“I don’t know that I deserved to have his name above my window,” Edwards said.

Indy qualifying cut short by lightning

E.J. Viso posted the fastest lap at Friday’s practice for the Indianapolis 500, reaching 229.537 mph before lightning, heavy rain and wind shut things down.

Practice was called off about 21/2 hours early as water stood on the straightaway and in pit road.

Marco Andretti was second-fastest Friday at 228.754 mph. Indy 500 rookie Carlos Munoz was third at 228.250, Will Power was fourth at 228.401 and J.R. Hildebrand was fifth at 227.549.

The last day of practice is this morning with Pole Day qualifying in the afternoon.

Busch ends drought in Truck Series

Kyle Busch snapped a seven-race drought on the NASCAR Truck Series by winning Friday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Brendan Gaughan finished second, and Max Gresham had his best finish ever, taking third.