Kyle Larson has been granted a playoff waiver after missing Charlotte to run the Indy 500
Two weeks ago, Kyle Larson ran the rain delayed Indy 500. It caused him to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600.
Larson attempted to run both the Indycar and NASCAR events. However, by the time he arrived at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the rain arrived as well. The race never resumed and Larson never turned a lap in the Coca-Cola 600.
Indy 500 Results: May 26, 2024 (Indycar Series)
Charlotte Results: May 26, 2024 (NASCAR Cup Series)
Per the rulebook, Larson is required to run every NASCAR race in order to remain eligible for playoff competition. And, after the race at WWT Raceway, NASCAR removed all playoff points earned.
Section 12.3.2.1.A: “Unless otherwise authorized by NASCAR, driver(s) and Team Owner(s) must start all Championship Events of the current season to be eligible for The Playoffs. If a starting position was not earned, then the driver(s) and Team Owner(s) must have attempted to Qualify, at the discretion of the Series Managing Director, for the Race.”
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Waiver granted
NASCAR has issued many waivers in past seasons. However, those are typically for medical reasons. This is a new scenario for the sanctioning body.
Hendrick Motorsports applied for a waiver after the race at Charlotte.
“NASCAR officials granted Kyle Larson a waiver on Tuesday to restore his eligibility for the Cup Series Playoffs,” NASCAR stated in a release.
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Elton Sawyer explains the decision
“We didn’t take it lightly,” Elton Sawyer, senior vice president of competition, said Tuesday.
“There was a lot of discussion internally. … We ultimately landed at giving Kyle a waiver.”
“Essentially our decision-making was, although we had the inclement weather in Indianapolis as well as Charlotte, Kyle made every attempt to get to Charlotte. He was standing in the pit box with his helmet on ready to go.”
“Unfortunately we had weather in Charlotte as well, and were unfortunately not able to get the race going again. That’s how we landed on our decision.”
“This was without a doubt uncharted waters for us,” Sawyer said. “In the past those waivers have been given mostly for medical reasons. … This one was unprecedented in that we had a driver miss one of our races, a championship event, to be at another event. That’s why it took as long as it did.
“There were different views from different people. Everyone had a view on it. The ultimate decision we wanted to get to was the right decision, and we feel like we got there.”
“To not have Kyle Larson in our playoff and give our fans the opportunity to see him race for a championship … at the end of the day, didn’t feel like that’s the right decision for us to make,” Sawyer said. “So we didn’t. We felt like we got to the right spot.”
Rick Hendrick comments
Hendrick is the owner of the No. 5 team. Shortly after the announcement, he issued a statement:
“Under normal circumstances, completing ‘the double’ is one of the toughest tests in sports,” Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports said in a statement.
“Despite our best efforts, this year’s combination of weather conditions in Indianapolis and Charlotte made it impossible. We hoped race day would play out differently, but the program was still incredibly positive for everyone involved. Kyle’s performance throughout May was a great reflection on the level of talent competing each week in the NASCAR Cup Series.
“Although losing ground in the standings was hard to swallow, we were especially disappointed for the fans at the Coca-Cola 600 who were not able to see Kyle race. I’m extremely proud of everything he did to prepare and the months of planning by our team and our partners at Arrow McLaren to run these two crown-jewel events.”
Hendrick added, “We appreciate NASCAR communicating with us throughout the effort and granting our request for a playoff waiver.”
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Kyle Larson | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Hendrick Motorsports | McLaren Racing | NASCAR | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Indycar
