Michael McDowell believes Kyle Larson deserves playoff waiver: 'I don't see the other side of this point at all'

Michael McDowell made a strong stance in-favor of Kyle Larson during the latter’s search for playoff waiver from NASCAR.

While Larson not receiving a waiver would actually help McDowell, as FOX’s Bob Pockrass pointed out, the wheelman of the No. 34 doesn’t believe it’d be fair to NASCAR and fans of motorsports as a whole if the Hendrick Motorsport star is kept out of the playoffs.

In fact, McDowell told Pockrass he doesn’t even see the other side of the argument, believing Larson deserves a waiver for attempting to run both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day.

Michael McDowell, who likely needs to win to make the playoffs but his road on points could change if an additional winless drivers get in if Kyle Larson doesn't get a waiver, seemed flabbergasted that there is even a debate on it — he said Larson deserves a waiver. pic.twitter.com/QCevZn22sk

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 1, 2024

“I don’t see the other side of this point at all,” McDowell said. “I think, if it was me, and I did it, and I think that that’s a different situation. I’d hate to say it like that, but Kyle Larson is going to win five, six or seven races this year. To sit here and say that he’s not going to get a waiver because he tried to do the double, and brought a tremendous amount of eyeballs on our sport, and a tremendous amount of eyeballs on IndyCar, and just helped motorsports all together, is crazy.

“So, I know that there’s arguments to that, but I mean, come on, we’re talking about the best driver that’s ever sat in a stock car, and we’re not going to give him a pass? That’s crazy.”

That’s the sentiment many in and around NASCAR have regarding Larson. It feels like NASCAR is attempting to make the former NASCAR Cup Series champion sweat it out more than anything.

Meanwhile, McDowell will have a chance to lock his spot in the playoffs on Sunday, regardless of what happens with Larson, as he captured the pole for the 2024 NASCAR Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday morning.

The No. 34 team has put the front row in Front Row Motorsports this season, and it was no different at Gateway. He was clearly the fastest car during qualifying, with Austin Cindric in the No. 2 joining him in P2.

Kyle Larson is awaiting his waiver decision, but Michael McDowell is simply focused on the task at hand for him and the No. 34 team. We’ll see who can get their team to victory lane on Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway, as the race should be a doozy.