“Just Starts Cramping Up” – Kyle Larson Reveals the Harsh Reality of NASCAR’s Fan-Favorite Decision

At the onset of the current NASCAR racing season in January, the promoting body announced that certain modifications to its rules would be implemented in the 2023 season. Amongst these changes was the call to remove cautions being mandated at the end of every stage in road course races. According to NASCAR, the aim behind this rule change was to improve pit strategy scenarios. Six months into the season, drivers are still feeling the wrath of this move.

Speaking to NBC Sports in the aftermath of the Verizon 200 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, 31-year-old Kyle Larson, who drives the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro for Hendrick Motorsports, expressed his disarray with no cautions being exercised in the road course race.

Really hot temperatures and cramped bodies

NASCAR’s call to remove the caution flag at the end of each stage at road courses came after an intensive review of fan council data and industry discussions. But what fans or the body might have failed to consider was the discomfort that drivers might have to face because of driving for prolonged periods without a break.

Finishing 8th in the 24th race of the NASCAR regular season, a visibly disappointed Kyle Larson spoke about the tough race and the mistakes that he’d committed, and how they, unfortunately, didn’t have caution breaks to make up for it.

When questioned on how tough it was to drive for a 100 minutes straight, he said, “Yeah, it was really hot. It was, it was really hot, uh, temps were hot and then you know your body just starts cramping up a little bit. You know, you’re breaking heavy into one and seven and, uh, kind of cramp up a little bit. So, um, I was thankful that the checkered came out there soon.”

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Kyle Larson talks about his further approach after the disappointing finish

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Heading into the Verizon 200, Kyle Larson had already qualified for NASCAR’s playoff season. But for a racer of his caliber, settling for the bare minimum is never a prerequisite. As always, the 2021 Cup Series champion had his sights only on the winning position when he headed into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one of the 6 road course venues on the 2023 schedule. However, even after securing a decent grid position, the problems that he faced caused him to settle only for a top 10 positions in the 82-lap race.

Commenting on what could’ve given him a better finish, he said, “I would have liked to have, you know, get bunched up or get a pit sequence to, uh, you know shake the strategy up a little bit and maybe get a better finish.” 

Going into the final races of the regular season, Kyle has his priorities clear. “I mean, I’ll take the eighth,” he said and continued about fighting for any bit of playoff points and closing the regular season on a strong note.

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With the rule change bringing in a lot of supportive statements from drivers and fans owing to the possibilities in strategy building that it would inhibit, NASCAR might also have to take into account the discomfort that drivers might face because of prolonged driving, and implement measures to ease the physical pressure on drivers. But what are your thoughts about the ‘no stage breaks’ rule?