Kurt Busch has Chase hopes on line in 500th start

Kurt Busch is back where his Cup career began – Dover International Speedway – and ready for his 500th career start. When the green flag drops today at Dover ( 11 a.m., ESPN), Busch will become the 35th NASCAR driver with 500 career Cup starts. After 14 years, 499 career starts, and one championship, Busch is fighting to remain in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. Four drivers are eliminated after every third race, and a win guarantees a driver an automatic berth into the next round. The first cutoff race is today, and the bottom four from the field are dumped: Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle, Busch and Aric Almirola are at risk of getting cut. – AP