By Colleen Kane
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Friday's racing

SPARTA, Ky. - Carl Edwards and his team were unfazed when they had to dust off an extra engine Friday at Kentucky Speedway.

Edwards, of Roush Racing Dodge, blew his motor in a mock qualifying round of the NASCAR Craftsmen Truck Series Built Ford Tough 225. He had to race his official qualifying round with a backup motor but still managed to finish fifth at 167.926 mph.

"We just had some freak trouble there with the engine, but you can see how good our motor program is, because we can throw a backup engine that's been riding in the hauler forever and go out and finish fifth," Edwards said. "That says a lot about our guys and a lot about our motor."

Edwards, 10th in the points standings, will retain his fifth position at the start and in the pit but will have to drop to the back of the pack when the race starts.

Fellow Ford driver Jon Wood faced similar problems last week at Kansas Speedway but rebounded to win the race.

"I think that if I can be patient enough we ought to be just fine," Edwards said. "I enjoy starting a little farther back, although it sounds funny. It gives you a little more practice racing before you get up there toward the front."

SPEEDY PRACTICE: While Wood set the track record in qualifying, Jason Leffler saw similar speed Friday - but it was in the practice round.

Leffler, of Team ASE/Carquest Racing Dodge, beat the record pole speed in his practice but couldn't do it in qualifying. He qualified in fourth place.

"We had a smooth third lap, but it wasn't as fast as it felt," Leffler said. "When you have a good practice and don't qualify on the pole, it's disappointing. But any time you end practice on a high note, it helps."

TRACK CONDITIONS: Though their opening practice round was Friday afternoon and qualifying started at 6 p.m., the drivers said the track shouldn't change much by today's 8 p.m. race.

"The track conditions here at Kentucky don't seem to change a lot from daylight to sundown," Power Stroke Diesel/Oil Mate Ford driver Terry Cook said. "The track will tighten up, but traditionally, if you're good here in qualifying trim, you'll be good all night."

The drivers also got to take their second practice round after the Goody's Dash Series race, which ended around 9:30 p.m.

Chad Chaffin, the third qualifier, from Dickies Racing Dodge, said seeing the track late at night will be a big benefit today. "We'll have a real good idea of what we'll see tomorrow," Chaffin said. "This is as close to a real life situation as we can get."

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E-mail ckane@enquirer.com

Built Ford Tough 225 Lineup

After Friday qualifying at Kentucky Speedway, Lap length: 1.5 miles

1. (50) Jon Wood, Ford, 169.641 mph.

2. (4) Bobby Hamilton, Dodge, 169.513.

3. (18) Chad Chaffin, Dodge, 168.734.

4. (2) Jason Leffler, Dodge, 168.219.

5. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 167.926.

6. (1) Ted Musgrave, Dodge, 167.895.

7. (62) Brendan Gaughan, Dodge, 167.853.

8. (88) Matt Crafton, Chevy, 167.676.

9. (8) Bill Lester, Dodge, 166.559.

10. (15) Mike Skinner, Ford, 166.451.

11. (59) Robert Pressley, Dodge, 166.430.

12. (29) Terry Cook, Ford, 166.159.

13. (46) Dennis Setzer, Chevy, 166.128.

14. (16) Travis Kvapil, Chevy, 165.899.

15. (58) Chris Horn, Chevy, 164.976.

16. (14) Rick Crawford, Ford, 164.614.

17. (75) Hank Parker Jr., Chevy, 164.604.

18. (01) Lance Hooper, Ford, 164.439.

19. (38) Brandon Whitt, Chevy, 164.419.

20. (21) Morgan Shepherd, Ford, 163.191.

21. (07) Johnny Chapman, Chevy, 163.053.

22. (5) Jerry Hill, Dodge, 162.191.

23. (9) Kenny Hendrick, Ford, 162.177.

24. (08) Jody Lavender, Chevy, 161.546.

25. (31) Tina Gordon, Chevy, 161.271.

26. (51) Stan Boyd, Dodge, 160.762.

27. (23) Phil Bonifield, Chevy, 160.461.

28. (93) Jonathon Price, Chevy, 158.875.

29. (0) Loni Richardson, Chevy, 158.107.

30. (00) Ryan McGlynn, Chevy, 158.015.

31.(72) Randy MacDonald, Chev., 157.844.

32. (86) T.J. Bell, Chevy, 157.260.

33. (53) Randy Briggs, Ford, Provisional.

34. (66) Trevor Boys, Dodge, Provisional.

35. (11) Aaron Daniels, Ford, 157.155.

36. (19) Ricky Sanders, Ford, 155.311.

Failed to qualify

37. (10) Andy Hillenburg, Ford, 153.881.

38. (36) Blake Mallory, Dodge.