The buzz around the possibility of NASCAR granting Kyle Larson a playoff waiver is mounting. However, Hendrick Motorsports hasn’t made a formal request yet.
Previous Instances Inform Decision-Making
Historically, NASCAR has shown leniency in such instances. The most famous example is likely Kyle Busch in 2015, who missed 11 races due to a leg injury but still received a waiver. This precedent might play a crucial role in NASCAR’s current discussions regarding Kyle Larson.
Gray Areas and Interpretations
Another notable case is Matt Kenseth’s, whose situation fell into a gray area. He didn’t attempt to race the first four events of the season, making his waiver request somewhat controversial. NASCAR’s rule aims to prevent drivers from skipping races after securing playoff spots, complicating these cases further.
Criteria for Waivers
NASCAR confirmed it granted a waiver for Chase Elliott when requested by Hendrick Motorsports. However, a waiver just implies that a driver’s missing start won’t affect his playoff status if he manages to qualify
. This indicates that while waivers provide concessions, they are no guarantee of locking in playoffs.
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