 This put 2001 series champion Jeff Gordon on the pole for the event, as he had been in the points lead at the time of the postponement, with Richmond winner Ricky Rudd alongside him on the front row as he had been second in the points standings at the time.Forty-one other drivers qualified for the race, with the final row filled by Petty Enterprises' Buckshot Jones and Kyle Petty.The forty-third spot would have gone to the entry fielded by Eel River Racing.