Rain could threaten Sprint Cup race at Bristol

Rain still threatens Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway but the forecast has improved.

The National Weather Service originally predicted a 60 percent chance of rain for most of Sunday but the chance of rain has declined to 45 percent until 2 p.m. and to 35 percent later in the afternoon. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-50s Sunday.

The 500-lap Cup race is scheduled for 1:13 p.m.

The 0.533-mile concrete track typically dries in less than an hour. NASCAR also has the option of running at night as the facility has lights.

NASCAR rules require for the leader to complete half the scheduled laps for a race to be considered official.