As Kyle Larson claimed another top-ten finish at Gateway Motorsports Park, the NASCAR community was left with one perplexing question. Will Hendrick Motorsports’ #5 driver make it into the playoffs? Or are his efforts following the Coca-Cola 600 fiasco in vain? So yet, NASCAR has issued no formal statement other than to acknowledge the waiver appeal. However, many believe that giving the 2021 Cup Series Champion an advantage is a stretch!
For example, veteran insider Jeff Gluck indicated in a conversation with Jordan Bianchi that the former points leader faces a difficult scenario. With many NASCAR fans condemning Kyle Larson for choosing the Indy 500, the #5 HMS team may not have a playoff-eligible driver at all.
Is NASCAR aiming to make an example of Kyle Larson?
After it was revealed that Rick Hendrick made an under-the-table deal with NASCAR about Kyle Larson’s waiver, many drivers and stakeholders expressed concern that this would set a confusing precedent. According to Joey Logano, if Kyle Larson could take time off for the Indy 500, why couldn’t another driver take time off to compete in Late Model racing, or for a vacation? Calling the waiver rule “the grayest rule we have in our sport”, Logano had said, “He decided the Indy 500 was more important than the Coca-Cola 600. … That’s the facts.”
However, later in a tweet, he explained his earlier statements, mentioning how his words had been twisted while supporting Larson. If anyone listened to what I said yesterday, I never picked a side. I was pointing out the tough decision that NASCAR is in. Since words have been twisted yet again….here’s what I think… What Larson did for Motorsports was amazing, and he should get the waiver,” the social media update read.
With a lot of slack seemingly coming their way, NASCAR needs to ensure they do not lose control over the sport’s regulations in the eyes of fans.
Naturally, the officials are taking their time to make a decision. Whilst many have speculated that NASCAR will eventually grant Larson a waiver and are just feeding the hype, Jeff Gluck ‘factually’ believes that isn’t the case. The veteran insider shared on the Teardown, “The reason that this has not been announced yet, what they’re doing, is that they don’t know. And not only do they not know, but there is a serious consideration to not giving Kyle Larson the waiver.”
According to Gluck, though Larson deserved a waiver in the long run, not everyone at NASCAR believes in that notion. He added, “I would view it as cooler heads will prevail perhaps but there are factually, unquestionably, people within NASCAR in the competition department that are against the waiver for Kyle Larson.” With drivers raising concerns over what a waiver for Larson would entail, Gluck believes there is a real possibility that the sport may need to address these concerns.
Although discussions are still ongoing, Gluck emphasized the fact that NASCAR isn’t just trying to be dramatic. Instead, Kyle Larson could realistically lose out on making it to the playoffs this season, despite being second in regular season points. With Larson’s ability to race in any category seemingly biting back, it remains to be seen if the #5 HMS squad stands a shot at the final four, let alone the championship.
That being said, those eagerly waiting for NASCAR to come up with a decision on Larson’s waiver might just need to hold onto their horses for longer.
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