Nascar

Sprint Cup race at Bristol delayed again

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Crew members make their way into Bristol Motor Speedway under threatening skies for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, in Bristol, Tenn. The race was delayed Saturday night due to severe weather. (AP Photo/Wade Payne) (The Associated Press)

A track dryer works on an area of the track during a rain delay in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Bristol, Tenn. The remainder of the race was postponed until Sunday. (AP Photo/Wade Payne) (The Associated Press)

Crew members make their way into Bristol Motor Speedway under threatening skies for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, in Bristol, Tenn. The race was delayed Saturday night due to severe weather. (AP Photo/Wade Payne) (The Associated Press)

Heavy rains have disrupted the Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway again, with Sunday's start delayed because of the weather.

The race was supposed to finish Saturday night, but persistent storms halted it three times. The start was delayed for an hour, then the event was red flagged after 38 laps for an additional 90 minutes. Racers finally returned to their cars under caution and slowly ran 10 laps before strong rains hit again and caused a halt for the night.

Officials planned for a 1 p.m. Sunday start, but Mother Nature had other plans.

Defending series champion Kyle Busch was out front with 48 of 500 laps complete. Chase Elliott was second, followed by Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth. Pole-sitter Carl Edwards slid to seventh.