[autotag]Kyle Larson[/autotag] missed the 2024 Coca-Cola 600 on May 26, but it was for a good reason. Larson was supposed to attempt “The Double,” starting with the Indianapolis 500 in the afternoon. However, the Hendrick Motorsports driver couldn’t compete in the Coca-Cola 600 after his camp chose the Indianapolis 500. Weather had delayed the NTT IndyCar Series’ biggest event.
Larson needed a waiver to remain eligible for the 2024 NASCAR playoffs, which took over one week to announce. On Tuesday, June 4, NASCAR finally announced that Larson will be granted a waiver to compete for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship. There was an argument for Larson not to be given one; however, this was the right decision.
NASCAR has granted waivers for drivers who have intentionally right-rear hooked other competitors into the wall head-first at 180 miles per hour. For example, Chase Elliott was suspended for one race after intentionally hooking Denny Hamlin in the 2023 Coca-Cola 600. Elliott received a waiver to compete in the NASCAR playoffs.
Even though Elliott missed the NASCAR playoffs, it would have set an example that missing a race is more severe than intentionally putting another driver’s safety at risk. On the surface, that’s not a good look. That is one reason why NASCAR made the right decision. The other is simple. It’s the Indianapolis 500.
KYLE LARSON'S FULL QUALIFYING RUN!
Larson ADVANCES TO THE FAST SIX and will GO FOR THE POLE!#Indy500 qualifying on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/SgjGC2gmH6
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 19, 2024
It would be different if Larson skipped NASCAR’s longest race for a random sprint car race on Sunday night. The driver of the No. 5 car attempted to etch his name into racing history by trying “The Double” and competing in racing’s biggest event. Larson’s camp invested so much into the Indianapolis 500 and decided to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600.
Yet, Larson was ready to jump in the No. 5 car if NASCAR had resumed the Coca-Cola 600 after rain arrived at the track. Instead, NASCAR called to end the Coca-Cola 600, leaving Larson with zero laps in his car. The effort was made to race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which should be enough for a driver to receive a waiver.
If NASCAR declined Larson’s waiver and didn’t change the rules, drivers would be discouraged from attempting the Indianapolis 500, which requires the most mental and physical preparation for any race during the year. Would a driver want to put that much effort into the Indy 500, only for a rain shower to ruin their day?
NASCAR made the right decision. The consequences of Larson’s ineligibility for the playoffs would have been too substantial. The rulebook may have agreed with a denied waiver, but NASCAR’s waiver allowance has been open to almost everything. Drawing the line at Larson racing in the Indianapolis 500 would have been a disaster, and NASCAR should be happy to avoid it.
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