After 9 Days of Severe Backlash, NASCAR Gives In to Clear Kyle Larson’s Playoff Hopes

American motorsport fans can finally take a breather. After days of deliberation, debate, and controversy, NASCAR has answered the most pressing question of the month. After Kyle Larson‘s Double plans went up in smoke, he faced the potential wrath of the higher-ups. That was because he prioritized IndyCar over NASCAR, missing the Coca-Cola 600 start.
However, that decision was last-minute and enforced due to the inclement weather. Hence Larson’s fans and peers stormed at NASCAR to take a wise call. And their wishes have been granted.

Kyle Larson is free 

Typically, it should not take long to fly from Indianapolis to Charlotte. The four drivers before Kyle Larson did not face an issue in transport, albeit faltering due to technical problems. But this year, Mother Nature took a firm stand and threw a wrench into the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s plans. Since he could not start the Coca-Cola 600 due to a four-hour weather delay at Indy, he required a waiver to still be eligible for the playoffs.

Kyle Larson recently admitted that the waiver debate was mind-boggling. “The waiver thing doesn’t make any sense as it stands right now. … I’m sure it’s confusing,” he said, while adding, “I think NASCAR’s probably trying to figure out what to do. If I get a waiver, do they have to rewrite the rules?” But it seems now he can relax.

NASCAR has rolled out their much-awaited decision after an excruciatingly long 9-day wait. NASCAR reporter Jeff Gluck provided a much-awaited update on the waiver debacle and wrote, “Kyle Larson is eligible to contend for the 2024 Cup Series championship after NASCAR granted Hendrick Motorsports’ waiver request, according to industry sources. NASCAR is expected to announce the decision Tuesday morning.”

Kyle Larson and his team must be heaving some deep sighs of relief by now. It would be a similar scenario for other drivers who fiercely sided with Larson as he single-handedly drove viewership. For instance, Michael McDowell ridiculed whispers that no waiver would come, saying “To sit here and say that he’s not going to get a waiver because he tried to do the ‘Double’ and brought a tremendous amount of eyeballs on our sport and a tremendous amount of eyeballs on IndyCar and just helped motorsports all together is crazy.”

Even Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson’s race rival, cited the natural causes outside human control. “It’s ridiculous. I said this weekend in the media center that I thought the five team made good faith efforts to try to get him to Charlotte to run the double. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had its other plans .”

As the good news rolled out, NASCAR and Larson fans churned out their relieved sentiments, bashing NASCAR for taking too long.

NASCAR gets the raps for stalling their decision

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Almost ten days have passed since the Double unfolded on a rain-battered Sunday. Four days went past since Hendrick Motorsports officially filed a waiver request to NASCAR. So as NASCAR finally decides to let off Kyle Larson, fans are still raising their eyebrows. One fan questioned this long wait: “took em this long for what?” Another fan quipped that the higher-ups are too late to be in their good books. “A week and a half too late.”

Another fan went the extra mile and extended the delay to a year back. Ever since Kyle Larson announced his Double plans, NASCAR should have known the complicated situations that may arise. “Good job Nascar, you made the right decision! I hope you enjoy taking forever to decide this even though you knew this was a possibility for a YEAR AND A HALF!!! Now we can move on.”

Other people were plainly happy to see their favorite motorsport athlete free from playoff expulsion. One fan rooted for Larson’s car: “The 5 is free!” Another fan elevated Kyle Larson to a grand status, claiming a national calamity has been averted, “And our long national nightmare will be over.”

Hence Kyle Larson and Co. can relax and focus on the rest of the 2024 season. Holding 17 playoff points just below Denny Hamlin, Larson is ready to make a run for another championship.