Kyle Larson loses NASCAR points lead after missing Coca-Cola 600 for Indy 500
Heading into this weekend, Kyle Larson had a 30-point lead in the standings. Now that has been wiped away and then some. A ton of points were given out for the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday.
Since the third stage never was completed, the finishing order from when the race was called official was also the Stage 3 finishing order. That means a few drivers picked up major points.
A 30-point lead on Martin Truex Jr. is now a one-point deficit for Kyle Larson. Even worse for Larson, Denny Hamlin jumped from 39 points down to the top of the standings. Hamlin has a six-point lead on Larson.
In fact, looking at the Playoff Standings, Kyle Larson is not listed among the top-16 drivers. That is because he didn’t start the Coca-Cola 600. He will need to receive a waiver in order to qualify for the postseason. That waiver is expected to be granted.
If and when that waiver is granted to Larson, it will mean that Bubba Wallace is the last driver in the playoffs as of right now. Wallace sits 13th overall in points but with a win from Daniel Suárez, that playoff bubble is pushed a little higher now.
Drivers who want to make the postseason will have to win a race, or at the moment, finish 15th or better in the points standings.
For Kyle Larson, the next step is to get this waiver so he can be eligible for the playoffs. With how much Hendrick Motorsports worked with NASCAR to try and make it all work, I fully expect a waiver to be granted.
Kyle Larson needs waiver or championship hopes are gone
NASCAR has a rule that drivers must start every race on the schedule. If they do not, the driver must receive a waiver to be eligible for the championship race. Drivers have been given waivers for injury, suspensions due to on-track behavior, and other reasons in the past.
With the effort that Kyle Larson put into trying to make it to the Coca-Cola 600, it’s not like he was trying to miss a race. He wasn’t trying to rest to gain an advantage at Gateway or anything like that. Does it suck he missed a Crown Jewel? Sure. But weather is the only reason why.
With his appearance and spectacular performance (speeding penalty on pit lane aside), Larson elevated NASCAR. He put the sport in a new light. Folks forget that NASCAR drivers come from all kinds of motorsports, touring cars, dirt, sprint cars, late models – it doesn’t matter. Larson also showed that the hype around him is very much deserved.
Right now, Kyle Larson is not eligible for the championship. Just be patient, that waiver will be granted and the Hendrick driver will be focused on earning his second Cup Series title.