Denny Hamlin thinks it's 'ridiculous' that NASCAR hasn't given Kyle Larson a waiver

As of right now, Kyle Larson isn’t automatically qualified for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs despite being a two-time winner this season.

As for why that is, you’d have to rewind to eight days ago when Larson attempted to become just the fifth driver to complete the Indy-Charlotte Double. Rain delayed the start of the 108th Running of the Indy 500 by four hours, forcing Larson to prioritize racing in Indianapolis or the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Larson chose the 500 and didn’t get a chance to run in the 600 due to NASCAR calling the race due to rain after he arrived from Indianapolis.

Per NASCAR‘s guidelines, “Unless otherwise authorized by NASCAR, driver(s) and Team Owner(s) must start all Championship Events of the current season to be eligible for The Playoffs.” While that is the official rule, Denny Hamlin finds it “ridiculous” that the sanctioning body hasn’t granted Larson a playoff waiver as they have in previous instances, he said on his “Actions Detrimental” podcast.

Denny Hamlin sounds off on Kyle Larson waiver debate

“Nobody wants this pandora’s box opened for sure,” Hamlin said. “I agree with Jordan Bianchi [from The Athletic] that it’s seriously being looked at to not give him the waiver. There is a legitimate reason [to not give Larson the waiver] because by the rule, you have to start all the races. … [If] they tell you you’re not going to race because you’re suspended or you’re physically hurt and not able to. Both of those instances that they’ve given waivers to is because someone has not been able to do it. Either because they were told not to, or they’re physically not able to.

“He had a choice. That’s by the letter of the law, that’s what they’re saying is he had a choice. … 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 and so, who knows. Who knows how this is gonna turn out. I think the longer it goes, the worse the news is going to be.”

Kyle Larson on NASCAR playoff decision: ‘The waiver thing doesn’t make any sense’

Per the latest report from Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, NASCAR is giving “serious consideration” to not giving Larson a waiver. Larson addressed the waiver situation ahead of Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway.

“The waiver thing doesn’t make any sense as it stands right now. … I’m sure it’s confusing,” Larson said. “I think NASCAR’s probably trying to figure out what to do. If I get a waiver, do they have to rewrite the rules?”