NASCAR SVP Elton Sawyer explains why Kyle Larson waiver appeal took so long

Kyle Larson has been granted a waiver to compete in the playoffs, and Elton Sawyer just revealed why NASCAR took its time to make the decision. While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the NASCAR senior vice president of competition said the Larson situation is something they have never dealt with before.

“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.”

Larson became ineligible to compete in the playoffs after missing the Coca-Cola 600 last week. He missed the Cup Series race because Larson participated in the Indy 500 earlier that day. The Indy 500 was delayed early four hours, which led to Larson missing the start of the Coca-Cola 600. After the Indy 500, Larson flew to Charlotte for the Cup Series race, but NASCAR called the Coca-Cola 600 as he arrived. Larson needed a waiver since he did not drive one lap in the Coca-Cola 600.

Rick Hendrick reacts to Kyle Larson’s playoff waiver

When NASCAR announced Larson’s waiver, Rick Hendrick, the founder of Larson’s team Hendrick Motorsports, released a statement. “Under normal circumstances, completing ‘the double’ is one of the toughest tests in sports,” Hendrick said. “Despite our best efforts, this year’s combination of weather conditions in Indianapolis and Charlotte made it impossible. Although losing ground in the standings was hard to swallow, we were especially disappointed for the fans at the Coca-Cola 600 who were not able to see Kyle (Larson) race.

“I’m extremely proud of everything he did to prepare and the months of planning by our team and our partners at Arrow McLaren to run these two crown jewel events. We hoped race day would play out differently, but the program was still incredibly positive for everyone involved. Kyle’s performance throughout May was a great reflection on the level of talent competing each week in the NASCAR Cup Series.”