The 2004 Tropicana 400 presented by Meijer was the 18th stock car race of the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season and the 4th iteration of the event.

To fill out the podium, Jimmie Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Jarrett of Robert Yates Racing would finish second and third, respectively.

[2] Jimmie Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.106 and an average speed of 185.529 miles per hour (298.580 km/h).

[2] Mark Martin of Roush Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.662 and an average speed of 182.051 miles per hour (292.983 km/h).

[4] The third and final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, would occur on Saturday, July 10, at 11:10 AM CST, and would last for 45 minutes.

[2] Brian Vickers of Hendrick Motorsports would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.563 and an average speed of 182.661 miles per hour (293.964 km/h).

[6] Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports would win the pole, setting a time of 28.886 and an average speed of 186.942 miles per hour (300.854 km/h).

After the longest green flag run of 78 laps, the fourth caution came out when Ricky Craven's engine blew.

With 15 to go, The 9th and final caution flew when Robby Gordon spun Jeff Green in turn 3.

Jimmie Johnson, Dale Jarrett, Jeff Gordon, and Jeremy Mayfield rounded out the top 5 while Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin, Joe Nemechek, Michael Waltrip, and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top 10.