NASCAR Strips Kyle Larson Of Playoff Points As Waiver Decision Looms
It looks like Kyle Larson is out of the NASCAR Playoffs … for now.
NASCAR’s latest points report shows the Hendrick Motorsports driver with zero playoff points, while he had 17 last week, as first noted by The Athletic reporter Jeff Gluck.
Larson has won two races and seven stages so far this season, but the change is due to another column on the report.
Larson is listed with 14 starts in 15 races due to his decision to stay in Indianapolis to compete in the rain-delayed Indy 500, rather than skip it to make it to Charlotte in time for the green flag to fly for the Coca-Cola 600.
SORRY, EUROPE, KYLE LARSON WANTS TO STEAL YOUR LUNCH MONEY AT THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS
NASCAR’s rules require full-time drivers to attempt to start every race in order to be eligible for the playoffs. Waivers have typically been granted in situations regarding health, including for Chase Elliott who missed six races last year after being injured in a snowboarding accident.
In a perfect world he would have competed in both races to complete The Double, but the chance to race in the Indy 500 after all of the effort he and the Hendrick team put into it was too good to pass up.
He did zip to Charlotte Motor Speedway after the Indy 500 in an effort to take over his No. 5 car from fill-in driver Justin Allgaier, but arrived just as the race was delayed, and ultimately suspended, by the same storm front that pushed the Indy 500 start time back by four hours.
Hendrick has officially requested a waiver for Larson to be able to qualify for the NASCAR Playoffs, but more than a week later has not yet received a response.
NASCAR has not indicated why the decision over a scenario that could’ve been anticipated a year ago when Larson announced his intention to do the double is taking so long.
Prior to the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technologies Speedway, Larson said he’s moving forward and racing for a championship while he awaits a decision, and that the team championship is still on the line regardless of what happens to him.
He also said he’d like to give The Double another shot, despite how things went this time around.
“I would like to do it again, just ’cause I can’t imagine the weather can get any worse or screwed up the plans any worse.”
Read This Next
You must be logged in to post a comment.