Auto Racing: Hamlin on pole for Dover 200

Dover, DE (Sports Network) - Nextel Cup driver Denny Hamlin earned the pole for this afternoon's Dover 200 at the Dover International Speedway. The No.20 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet driver circled the one mile "Monster Mile" in 23.443 seconds (153.561 m.p.h.).

The pole victory was Hamlin's third in the last four races and ninth of his Busch career.

Starting alongside Hamlin will be Scott Wimmer who posted a second-best time of 23.534 seconds.

Marcos Ambrose (23.545) and Dave Blaney (23.556) will make up row two.

Other drivers of note: Greg Biffle (6th), David Ragan (7th), Casey Mears (9th), Kasey Kahne (12th), Jeff Burton (15th), Matt Kenseth (19th) and Kevin Harvick (29th).

Edwards continues to pace the series without serious challenge. He owns a 423- point lead over Kevin Harvick and 592 over third place Dave Blaney. Edwards owns two wins and an amazing nine top-fives in 13 starts. The No.60 Ford driver qualified eighth, but did scrape the wall during his run.

The race is set to drop the green flag at 3 p.m. (et).