Nascar Qualifying at Daytona Washed out

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Points leader Tony Stewart was

awarded the pole for Saturday night's race at Daytona International

Speedway, getting the top spot when rain washed out Sprint Cup

qualifying.

It was Stewart's third pole - all in rainouts - in the last five

races. He also started up front at Pocono last month and New

Hampshire last week.

Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch and Carl Edwards rounded

out the first three rows.

Max Papis and Mike Wallace were sent home, unable to attempt to

get into the 43-car field. Wallace was scheduled to drive the No.

64 car, the one some believed recently reinstated driver Jeremy

Mayfield would try to get into to make his return from a drug

suspension.

Car owner Larry Gunselman, citing sponsorship concerns, declined

to offer Mayfield a ride.