Jeff Gordon reacts to new NASCAR waiver rule as response to Kyle Larson controversy

In a new series of rules, NASCAR included a change to the waiver policy for the 2025 Cup Series season, mostly in response to Kyle Larson. Last year, due to weather, Larson decided to stay for the Indianapolis 500 and missed the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600, and Jeff Gordon and Hendrick paid a price.

Larson and Hendrick Motorsports came short of their Double attempt. He is still going to try it again this year. However, should weather become an issue, he is expected to leave for the 600 in Charlotte this time around.

If he, or any driver, misses a race for a non-medical or age-related reason and requires a playoff waiver, they will lose all playoff points for the season. Not just points already earned prior to the missed race, but for the entire season.

That means if the driver in question makes the playoffs, they will only have 2000 points entering the postseason. A tough position to come out of.

Jeff Gordon went on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and talked about the new rule. Of course, the Hendrick Vice Chairman doesn’t think it is necessary to have a rule change. He offers a different argument.

“The one comment I’ll make about that is, there is a lot of debate over this, right?” Gordon said. “Last year. Being right there in it the whole time, I flew on the plane with Kyle from Indy to Charlotte. And I personally don’t think they needed to take any further steps and here’s my reason why; I saw the hurt on Kyle Larson’s face and I could feel him letting his team down. I had the conversations with Rick and the conversations he’s having with NASCAR as well as Chad Knaus and Jeff Andrews. I heard from fans and sponsors, and – if you’ve never owned a team or driven a race car, then I understand why you feel like you need to take extra action.

“But if you ever have, then you know there’s nothing harder than to make that decision and deal with consequences of not being in that car, and Kyle not getting those points, and having the opportunity to win that race. The car was great. Justin Allgaier did an amazing job. But to let down the team, and to me, like that’s what drives the decision of whether you do it or don’t do it in the future, not necessarily whether you get a waiver or not. But, hey, I understand. NASCAR’s, that’s their decision and we’ll go by that.”

I get what Jeff Gordon is saying. The guilt of missing a race is a lot. Missing out on all of your playoff points for the year is bigger. It makes that sting a lot more. And, it ensures that NASCAR will have all of its stars in every race.

NASCAR is protecting its brand. It is understandable. This will also help police egregious actions on the track. Missing a race for a suspension would not be excused. This means a driver suspended for on-track or off-track behavior will lose all playoff points. Harsh, but fair is NASCAR’s new approach.