The race was held on Saturday, October 11, 2003, before a crowd of 160,000 in Concord, North Carolina, at Lowe's Motor Speedway, a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) permanent quad-oval.

The complex features a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge, as well as the UAW-GM Quality 500.

[4] Ryan Newman, driving for Penske Racing South, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.128 and an average speed of 185.389 miles per hour (298.355 km/h).

[4] Tony Stewart, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.690 and an average speed of 181.879 miles per hour (292.706 km/h).

[7] Ryan Newman, driving for Penske Racing South, would win the pole, setting a time of 28.930 and an average speed of 186.657 miles per hour (300.395 km/h).