Homestead, FL (Sports Network) - Kasey Kahne captured the pole for the season- ending Ford 400, while Jimmie Johnson was tops among the three drivers who remain eligible for the Sprint Cup Series championship in Friday's qualifying at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Kahne, who left Richard Petty Motorsports last month to finish the season in the No.83 Toyota for Red Bull Racing, turned a lap of 176.904 m.p.h. around the 1.5-mile South Florida track for his fourth pole of the season. He also won the pole here in 2006.

"That's a great starting spot for us, and we'll have a great pit stall," Kahne said after claiming his 20th career Cup pole. "It's good for the whole Red Bull team. The guys have done a nice job."

Kahne will drive an entry for Red Bull full-time in next year's Sprint Cup campaign before he heads to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012 to drive Mark Martin's No.5 Chevrolet.

Johnson, the four-time series champion, will start sixth.

"I'm real happy with that lap," Johnson said.

Denny Hamlin, the current points leader and defending race winner, had a disappointing qualifying session and will start 37th on Sunday. Hamlin holds just a 15-point lead over Johnson, making it the closest points margin between the top two drivers heading into the final Chase race of the season since NASCAR began its playoff format for its top-tier series in 2004.

"Our car is going to be fine for [Sunday], and we know that," Hamlin said. "This is a track where you can pass, so we're looking forward to that part of it. Friday has never been our strong suit, so we've got to battle back again."

Hamlin won last year's race at Homestead from the 38th starting spot.

Kevin Harvick, currently 46 points behind Hamlin, will roll off from the 28th position.

"I thought we actually would be a touch better, but not much," Harvick said. "Our car was very comfortable in race trim, and we're ready to go."

Carl Edwards, who started on the pole and won last Sunday's race at Phoenix, qualified 0.03 seconds behind Kahne for the outside pole. Edwards was quickest in practice at Homestead earlier in the day.

Jamie McMurray took the third spot, while Bill Elliott, who was quickest among those drivers who had to qualify on time, placed his car fourth on starting grid. A.J. Allmendinger completed the top-five.

David Reutimann will start seventh, followed by Mark Martin, David Ragan and Regan Smith.

Michael McDowell and Patrick Carpentier failed to qualify.

Sunday's race at Homestead is scheduled to start shortly after 1:00 p.m. (et) and can be heard locally on 1080 KRLD