Contested over 250 laps on the 2-mile (3.23 km) asphalt D-shaped oval, it was the twenty-fifth race of the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

[1] The first fall race at California Speedway would be held on Labor Day weekend, bumping the Mountain Dew Southern 500 off as part of the 2004 NASCAR Realignment.

Casey Mears #41 Target House Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing 185.802 mph 7.

Ricky Rudd #21 Motorcraft/US Air Force Ford Wood Brothers Racing 184.195 mph 21.

Michael Waltrip #15 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt Incorporated 184.135 mph 22.

Jamie McMurray #42 Texaco Havoline Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing 184.091 mph 24.

Kevin Harvick #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing 183.734 mph 28.

Sterling Marlin #40 Coors Light Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing 183.486 mph 32.

Ward Burton #0 Netzero HiSpeed ChevroletHaas CNC Racing 182.131 mph (provisional) 40.

Ken Schrader #49 Schwan's Home Service Dodge BAM Racing 181.369 mph (provisional) 41.

Derrike Cope #96 Mach One Inc Ford William Edwards no time (provisional) Did not qualify 44.