The raceway was originally constructed with a 2.5 mi (4.0 km) road course that ran both inside and outside of the main tri-oval. In 1991 the track was reconfigured with the current 1.51 mi (2.43 km) interior layout. PIR has an estimated grandstand seating capacity of around 67,000. Lights were installed around the track in 2004 following the addition of a second annual NASCAR race weekend.
The first practice session was held on Friday, November 3, at 10:30 AM MST. The session would last for 55 minutes.[3]Robert Pressley, driving for Jasper Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 27.108 and an average speed of 132.802 mph (213.724 km/h).[4]
The second practice session was held on Friday, November 3, at 12:35 PM MST. The session would last for 50 minutes.[3]Johnny Benson Jr., driving for Tyler Jet Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 27.069 and an average speed of 132.993 mph (214.031 km/h).[5]
The third practice session was held on Saturday, November 4, at 8:30 AM MST. The session would last for one hour.[3]Johnny Benson Jr., driving for Tyler Jet Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 27.775 and an average speed of 129.613 mph (208.592 km/h).[6]
The final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Saturday, November 4, at 10:30 AM MST. The session would last for one hour.[3]Ken Schrader, driving for MB2 Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 27.069 and an average speed of 132.993 mph (214.031 km/h).[7]
Qualifying was split into two rounds. The first round was held on Friday, November 3, at 2:15 PM MST. Each driver would have one lap to set a time. During the first round, the top 25 drivers in the round would be guaranteed a starting spot in the race. If a driver was not able to guarantee a spot in the first round, they had the option to scrub their time from the first round and try and run a faster lap time in a second round qualifying run, held on Saturday, November 4, at 12:15 PM MST. As with the first round, each driver would have a lap to set a time.[3] Positions 26-36 would be decided on time, while positions 37-43 would be based on provisionals. Six spots are awarded by the use of provisionals based on owner's points. The seventh is awarded to a past champion who has not otherwise qualified for the race. If no past champion needs the provisional, the next team in the owner points will be awarded a provisional.[8]
Rusty Wallace, driving for Penske-Kranefuss Racing, would win the pole, setting a time of 26.830 and an average speed of 134.178 miles per hour (215.939 km/h).[9]
