At race's end, Jeremy Mayfield of Evernham Motorsports would pass a fuel-ailing Kurt Busch with 8 to go and take home a clutch win to lock himself into the 2004 Chase for the Nextel Cup.

The ten drivers to make it into the inaugural Chase for the Nextel Cup were Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Elliott Sadler, Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Jeremy Mayfield, and Ryan Newman.

[3] Ryan Newman of Penske-Jasper Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 21.024 and an average speed of 128.425 miles per hour (206.680 km/h).

[3] Kasey Kahne of Evernham Motorsports would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 21.480 and an average speed of 125.698 miles per hour (202.291 km/h).

[7] Nine drivers would fail to qualify: Johnny Sauter, Tony Raines, Kevin Lepage, Greg Sacks, Hermie Sadler, Brad Teague, Ryan McGlynn, Morgan Shepherd, and Carl Long.