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NASCAR: Andrew Ranger takes the pole in Edmonton... right in front of Alex Tagliani!

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Khatir Soltani
From NASCAR Canadian Tire Series

Andrew Ranger laid down the fastest lap in qualifying for the Edmonton Canadian Tire Series 100 at the Rexall Edmonton Indy and will start from the pole position for today's race.

Ranger (No. 27 Wal-Mart/Tide Ford) posted a time of 80.797 seconds around the 1.973-mile temporary road course, fashioned from runways, taxiways and access roads at Edmonton City Centre Airport for an average lap speed of 87.909 mph.

It is the first pole this season for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio defending champion out of Roxton Pond, Quebec and the third of his series career.

"The car has been great all day," said Ranger. "It has a brand new motor in it and really handled the turns very well. This is a great track to race. The first part is very technical, but then it changes to a speed course."

Joining him on the front row will be teammate Alex Tagliani (No. 7 Wal-Mart/Ubisoft) whose lap timed in at 81.668 seconds (86.972 mph).

"It will be great having (Tagliani) starting next to me," Ranger said. "We just need to keep it that way tomorrow."

A year ago, Ranger started on the pole and led every lap of the race before being passed by J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 84 Fitzpatrick Motorsports Chevrolet) on the white flag lap leaving Ranger as the runner-up.

The Edmonton Canadian Tire Series 100 is slated for 11 a.m. MT Saturday.

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Friday qualifying results, Edmonton:

1. (27) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond Que., Ford, 87.909
2. (7) Alex Tagliani, Lachenaie Que., Ford, 86.972
3. (69) Trevor Seibert, Williams Lake B.C., Ford, 86.861
4. (19) Brad Graham, Glencoe Ont., Dodge, 86.844
5. (22) Scott Steckly, Milverton Ont., Dodge, 86.682
6. (84) J.R. Fitzpatrick, Cambridge Ont., Chevrolet, 86.523
7. (17) D.J. Kennington, St. Thomas Ont., Dodge, 86.480
8. (9) Mark Dilley, Barrie Ont., Dodge, 86.474
9. (02) Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert Ont., Ford, 86.386
10. (95) Anthony Simone, Holland Landing Ont., Chevrolet, 86.284
11. (4) Don Thomson, Jr., Ayr Ont., Chevrolet, 86.016
12. (1) Peter Gibbons, Stouffville Ont., Ford, 85.581
13. (39) Dave Whitlock, Petrolia Ont., Dodge, 85.516
14. (3) Jason Hathaway, Appin Ont., Dodge, 84.841
15. (60) Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor Ont., Dodge, 84.649
16. (77) Derek Lynch, Warkworth Ont., Dodge, 84.201
17. (14) James Van Domselaar, Ft. Saskatchewan Alb., Chevrolet, 84.120
18. (6) Todd Nichol, St. Albert Alb., Chevrolet, 83.883
19. (44) Jarrad Whissell, Calgary Alb., Ford, 82.936
20. (21) Jason White, Sun Peaks B.C., Chevrolet, 82.722
21. (18) Kent Nuhn, Williamsford Ont., Chevrolet, 82.573
22. (12) John Gaunt, Barrie Ont., Dodge, 81.826
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada