Report: Hendrick Motorsports officially requests NASCAR playoff waiver for Kyle Larson

According to Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press, Hendrick Motorsports and Kyle Larson have requested a waiver from NASCAR to keep him eligible for the playoffs. Larson missed the start of the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday after racing in the Indianapolis 500 earlier in the day.

“Hendrick Motorsports confirms it has requested a waiver for Kyle Larson from #NASCAR,” Fryer said via X.

Justin Allgaier began the Coca-Cola 600 in the No. 5 car, meant to be driven by Larson. However, a weather delay in Indianapolis delayed Larson’s arrival. And despite a swap being made, the red flag came out and the covers began to be put on.

Fryer was able to secure confirmation from NASCAR about the waiver being received from Hendrick Motorsports regarding Larson. No timetable for a decision is currently known.

“Update: #NASCAR confirms it has received a request for a waiver for Larson from Hendrick Motorsports and says no timetable for when decision will be made,” Fryer said.

There is still a while before the NASCAR playoffs begin, with there being plenty of time for Larson to go through the waiver process. Larson currently sits third overall in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings.

Elton Sawyer explains process of waiver for Kyle Larson

Joining SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, NASCAR SVP Elton Sawyer explained what will go into the decision, and when we can expect to find out if Larson will be granted the waiver.

“I haven’t seen a request come through,” Sawyer told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “It’s really not a lot to report on that topic, just based off — we’ll let the process take its course. I’m sure, at some point, they will send in that request, and when they do, we’ll go through, do our due diligence. Meet with our people.

“Again, this will be a decision that not just one person will make, but a group will sit and look at it and discuss it and move forward.”

Continuing, Sawyer elaborated on how Larson’s eventual waiver request will be different from those given in the past, like the medical one Chase Elliott received one for his off-track injury that forced him to miss multiple races last season. However, it didn’t end up making a difference, as Elliott missed the playoffs anyways.

“I think you look at it from the standpoint of, obviously they submit the request,” Sawyer explained. “He has missed a race, so we start — it’s a little bit of uncharted waters for us, because in the past the waivers have been mostly given for a medical reason, so this one is a little bit different, from that aspect, and just a lot of, we’ve had some preliminary discussions, but we haven’t landed.”

Alas, it would be shocking to see Kyle Larson not granted the playoff waiver, but nothing can be done until Hendrick Motorsports requests it, which should happen this week. Time will tell what the governing body rules regarding the No. 5 wheelman.