Elton Sawyer explains why NASCAR granted Kyle Larson waiver for playoffs

NASCAR announced Tuesday it has granted Kyle Larson a waiver to remain eligible for the 2024 Cup Series playoffs.

Speaking with the media after making the announcement, NASCAR senior vice president of competition Elton Sawyer explained that Larson doing everything in his power to race in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway played a role in the decision to give him a waiver.

“Kyle made every attempt to get to Charlotte,” Sawyer said, via Jeff Gluck of The Athletic. “He was standing in the pit box with his helmet on, ready to go.”

Sawyer added that it isn’t in NASCAR’s best interest to deny fans the chance to see Larson compete for a second Cup Series championship, an opportunity he earned after winning two races earlier this season.

“To not have Kyle Larson in our playoff and give our fans the opportunity the chance to see him race for a championship… at the end of the day, that didn’t feel like that was the right decision for us to make. We didn’t,” Sawyer said.

Elton Sawyer explains why Kyle Larson waiver appeal took so long

Larson had been in search of a waiver to remain playoff-eligible after his attempt to become just the fifth driver to complete the Indy-Charlotte Double quickly turned south. 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 with 151 laps remaining due to rain after he arrived from Indianapolis.

Larson lost his lead in the points standings after missing the Coca-Cola 600, as well as a potential eight playoff points. He now sits second after tallying a P10 finish in Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway.

As for why it took nine days for NASCAR to come to a decision on Larson’s waiver, Sawyer cited how this particular scenario dipped into “uncharted waters.”

“This was without a doubt uncharted waters for us,” Sawyer said. “In the past, those waivers have been given mostly for medical reasons. … This one was unprecedented in that we had a driver miss one of our races, a championship event, to be at another event. That’s why it took as long as it did. There were different views from different people. Everyone had a view on it. The ultimate decision we wanted to get to was the right decision, and we feel like we got there.”