Fans Worried About NASCAR Shutting Down Kyle Larson’s Playoff Chances After Rick Hendrick’s Awkward Silence

The rainy conditions in Greater Indianapolis have caught everyone in the NASCAR world off guard, including Kyle Larson. It looks like dreams of Double Duty “may” have to wait till next year. While Kyle Larson eagerly awaits the Green Flag in Indianapolis, fans are concerned about his future at the NASCAR Cup Series.

Will Larson be issued a waiver by NASCAR? Will he be eligible for the playoffs now that he’s missing the 600? All these questions seem to plague the fans watching these developments closely. With ace Xfinity driver Justin Allgaier stepping forward to fill the #5 Chevy, the whisp of clouds appears to have finally cleared. Will there be no double duty this year for Larson? So what’s the strategy behind this maneuver by Rick Hendrick & Co.?

As shared by Bob Pockrass on Twitter, “Allgaier was getting in Larson’s car. He expects to start the 600 although there is possibility of rain here tonight, too. NASCAR won’t make a public statement on a waiver until Larson misses start of 600 but can’t imagine HMS making this decision without knowing it.”

This suggests the likelihood of even Coco-Cola 600 being delayed owing to bad weather. With weather playing spoilsport, Larson will likely get the waiver. A waiver for him at the moment is necessary, as NASCAR rules dictate participation in every Cup Series race.

Hendrick Motorsports is reputed for its strategic planning. Hence, HMS is careful not to make any advancements without confirmation from NASCAR. This scenario again adds weight to the complexity of the NASCAR rules and their dependency on timing and other weather conditions for the result.

Most importantly, the possibility of a waiver for Kyle Larson has now become the focal point. HMS and its strategy can be useful for other teams in the future and help them navigate the tough regulatory landscape of NASCAR.

After all this hype, it’s indeed sad to see this happen. The entire NASCAR community, along with veterans, were rooting for Kyle to get the job done. But as fate would have it, everybody has to wait until next year for this feat to come through. Thus, giving rise to mixed fan reactions.

Meanwhile, fans showcase a mix of support and skepticism

Fans all over have been sputtering their opinions regarding the subject. Social media is filled with fans of different temperaments. One commented, “Larson stayed in Indy because he already knows he will get that waiver,” implying that NASCAR will be lenient towards Larson.  Similarly, another one says, “He’ll 100% get a waiver. Idk why it’s questionable,” Kyle Larson running the Indy 500 is indeed a big deal.

But not all fans feel the case would warrant a waiver. “He shouldn’t get a waiver for making a conscious decision to miss a race,” said one fan, reflecting a more hard-lined interpretation of NASCAR’s standards. This skepticism is lightened by a humorous take from another fan, who commented, “It’s more likely that Jeff Gordon wins the 600 in a shopping cart than Larson not getting the waiver,” underscoring the widespread belief that NASCAR will indeed grant the waiver.

The speculation included some possible strategic plays. An example is: “Interesting scenario possibly. Larson runs the 500, Allgaier starts the 600, then the storm hits around 8 or so, and Larson gets in the car after the red flag when he arrives.“ That is an example of how racing is so unpredictable. Teams have to encounter different scenarios all the time, making them as smart as the system.

And of course, there was another reason that was pointed out: points and standings. One fan even questioned, “What about points? Does Kyle get any points if he doesn’t start? Is HMS really cool with losing the regular season points lead for this?” This goes on to show the importance Indy 500 has for HMS and Larson. It also shows how sometimes even the most meticulous planning may fail. Welcome to NASCAR, where unpredictability is the norm.