Many would have been surprised if Casey Stoner did not took pole position at Laguna Seca after dominating all practices on Friday and Saturday.

This one pole is his fourth consecutive this season and a fifth in 2008.

Fiat Yamaha's Valentino Rossi was the only driver to give any kind of challenge to the current World Champion as he finished in second with less than 0.30 seconds behind.

Repsol Honda rival Nicky Hayden finished third just in front of Rossi's teammate Jorge Lorenzo who seems to be getting back into the beat, having obviously put his injuries in the back of his mind.

Finally, after trying to get over from the pain of his injuries to his left wrist and right ankle, Dani Pedrosa has decided to call it a day and go back home to get some much needed rest.

Starting Grid:

Pos Rider Bike Time
1. Casey Stoner Ducati (B) 1:20.700
2. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 1:21.147 + 0.447
3. Nicky Hayden Honda (M) 1:21.430 + 0.730
4. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) 1:21.864 + 0.936
5. James Toseland Yamaha (M) 1:21.848 + 1.148
6. Randy de Puniet Honda (M) 1:21.921 + 1.221
7. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) 1:21.947 + 1.247
8. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki (B) 1:21.971 + 1.271
9. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) 1:21.974 + 1.274
10. Toni Elias Ducati (B) 1:21.999 + 1.299
11. Loris Capirossi Suzuki (B) 1:22.039 + 1.339
12. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) 1:22.092 + 1.392
13. Ben Spies Suzuki (B) 1:22.147 + 1.427
14. Sylvain Guintoli Ducati (B) 1:22.719 + 2.019
15. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) 1:22.957 + 2.257
16. Alex de Angelis Honda (B) 1:23.035 + 2.335
17. Jamie Hacking Kawasaki (B) 1:23.309 + 2.609
18. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) 1:24.525 + 3.825