Jari-Matti Latvala led the Rally Sweden by 17 seconds from fellow Finn Mikko Hirvonen after day two.
Norway's Petter Solberg was a further three seconds back, while world champion Sebastien Loeb was down in seventh place, more than two minutes off the pace.
With only a night-time super-special to come, Latvala is likely to hold a comfortable overnight lead.
The Ford World Rally Team driver battled with compatriot Hirvonen for most of Friday (February 10).
But he made his decisive move late in the day after proving most-able to deal with the lack of snow on the roads.
Rally Sweden finishes on February 12.
Reuters