As of now, Kyle Larson holds the second position in the points standings. However, there’s an interesting twist: he currently has zero playoff points. This is a departure from last week when he had accumulated 17 playoff points after the Coca-Cola 600.
Jeff Gluck wrote on X about the standings, “Kyle Larson is listed second in points, but now shown with zero playoff points. Last week, he was shown with 17 playoff points after the 600.”
NASCAR has just put out the points report after this race.
Kyle Larson is listed second in points, but now shown with zero playoff points. Last week, he was shown with 17 playoff points after the 600.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) June 3, 2024
Kyle Larson, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, has been exceptional this season. His consistency and strong finishes have propelled him up the standings. Keep an eye on Larson as the season unfolds, especially considering his recent waiver controversy.
Kyle Larson’s Playoff Waiver Controversy Explained
Following a rain delay during the Indianapolis 500, Larson decided to skip the Coca-Cola 600 altogether. Unfortunately, this violated a rule that requires full-time drivers to participate in all 26 regular-season races to be eligible for the playoffs.
To qualify for the playoffs, Larson now needs a waiver from NASCAR. Historically, NASCAR has granted waivers for various reasons, including injuries (e.g., Kyle Busch) and suspensions (e.g., Chase Elliott). Larson’s case, however, remains pending, leaving fans and fellow drivers wondering why the delay.
NASCAR’s official position is that drivers and team owners must start all championship events in the current season to be playoff-eligible. In practice, this rule hasn’t always been consistently applied. Larson’s waiver request was submitted by Hendrick Motorsports on May 30, but no updates have been provided since then.
Larson, despite being a championship contender, finds himself in limbo regarding playoff qualification. Fellow Cup Series drivers believe he deserves a waiver. Larson himself seems to be taking the drawn-out saga in stride.
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