Burton to make 500th career start:

#31-Jeff Burton will add his name to an exclusive list on Sunday when he takes the green flag at Sunday’s Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway for his 500th career start in NASCAR’s premier series. He will become the 29th driver to reach the 500-start mark. He is also 30th all-time with 20 victories. Over 16 years of Cup Series competition, Burton has compiled 114 top-five and 205 top-10 finishes. To commemorate his 500th Cup Series start, Burton will be honored at a roast on Sat., Aug. 30 at Auto Club Speedway. ESPN broadcaster Allen Bestwick will serve as the roastmaster, with team owner Richard Childress, fellow RCR drivers Kevin Harvick and Bowyer, ESPN broadcaster and recently retired Cup Series driver Dale Jarrett and AT&T’s director of national sponsorships Tim McGhee as roasters.(RCR PR)(8-27-2008)