2004 Gatorade 125s

The 2004 Gatorade 125s were a pair of NASCAR Nextel Cup Series held on Thursday, February 12, 2004, that were the qualifying races for that year's Daytona 500, the premier event of the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

[6] Large well-established teams approach the races as practice sessions for the Daytona 500 while a successful qualification into the Daytona 500 for smaller less-established teams would allow them to enter future NASCAR events during the season.

An unsuccessful qualification meant the team would risk closing down until sponsorship was found.

The drivers who posted the odd-number rankings in the qualifying rounds compete in the first race, which will set the inside rows—positions 3, 5, 7, etc.

In the event of cancellation, the top 30 positions would be set from the timed qualifying sessions.

The most recent past champion driver not assigned a position will receive this starting spot.