2004 Daytona 500 - Qualifying

Qualifying

Greg Biffle won his first career Nextel Cup Series pole, but an engine change during Speedweeks sent him to the rear of the field. The inside column of cars all moved forward one row, promoting Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who had won the Gatorade Duel, to the number one starting spot. Elliott Sadler won the second of Thursday's Gatorade 125s, after holding off two-time 500 winner Sterling Marlin. Of the 45 cars entered, the two who failed to qualify were Kirk Shelmerdine, driving his own #72 Ford Taurus, and ARCA veteran Andy Hillenburg in the #90 Ford Taurus, one of Junie Donlavey's final attempts at entering a Cup car.