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.
Entry list
(R) denotes rookie driver.
(i) denotes driver who is ineligible for series driver points.
The only practice session was held on Friday, November 10, at 9:00 AM MST. The session would last for one hour and 50 minutes.[3]Todd Gilliland of Kyle Busch Motorsports would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 26.576 and an average speed of 135.461 miles per hour (218.003 km/h).[4]
Qualifying was held on Friday, November 10, at 3:30 PM MST.[3] Since Phoenix International Raceway is under 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in length, the qualifying system was a multi-car system that included three rounds. The first round was 15 minutes, where every driver would be able to set a lap within the 15 minutes. Then, the second round would consist of the fastest 24 cars in Round 1, and drivers would have 10 minutes to set a lap. Round 3 consisted of the fastest 12 drivers from Round 2, and the drivers would have 5 minutes to set a time. Whoever was fastest in Round 3 would win the pole.[5]
Christopher Bell of Kyle Busch Motorsports would win the pole after advancing from both preliminary rounds and setting the fastest lap in Round 3, setting a time of 26.275 and an average speed of 137.012 miles per hour (220.499 km/h) in the third round.[6]