The brand new rule that would drive Kyle Larson to decide on NASCAR over Indy

Kyle Larson is aiming to affix a choose group of drivers in finishing the Indy 500/Coke 600 ‘Double,’ operating each races on the identical day this 12 months. Solely 4 drivers have ever accomplished it and the final to efficiently accomplish it was Kurt Busch again in 2014.

However simply as tough as operating the races themselves is balancing the 2 schedules between Indianapolis and Charlotte. That proved to be a significant downside for Larson in 2024 as rain delayed the beginning of the Indy 500, forcing him to overlook the beginning of the Coke 600. He made it there mid-race, however the identical rain bathe that delayed Indy in the end ended the NASCAR race early, denying him an opportunity at changing into the fifth driver to finish the Indy-Charlotte Double.

Whereas he was granted a playoff waiver that saved him eligible for the Cup title, NASCAR has since launched a brand new rule that complicates issues. They known as Larson’s scenario “uncharted waters,” and the brand new guardrails for playoff waivers will basically drive Larson to decide on NASCAR over Indy, if confronted with that call once more in 2025.

NASCAR has issued playoff waivers to drivers lacking races for principally any cause prior to now, together with suspensions. And to stay eligible for the championship with no waiver, drivers have to try each race. Now, NASCAR will punish those that search playoff waivers for non-medical causes. Exceptions do embrace the beginning of a kid, a household emergency, age restrictions, or another distinctive conditions past the driving force’s management.

If Larson misses the beginning of the Coke 600 due to Indianapolis once more, he can nonetheless obtain a waiver in 2025. Nonetheless, that may now include a value. Larson would forfeit all 23 playoff factors he has earned thus far within the 2025 season, which is greater than anybody else within the Cup Collection area. Drivers carry these useful bonus factors with them all through the championship playoffs and they’re essential in advancing ahead via every spherical. Moreover, a driver will lose the power to amass any future playoff factors for the rest of the common season as properly, forcing a driver like Larson to begin the 16-driver playoffs at zero.

Potential conflict between Indy 500 Quick 6 and All-Star Race

Due to this, he can’t afford to remain in Indy if it overlaps with the beginning of NASCAR’s longest race in any manner. Nonetheless, this isn’t the one potential conflict Larson should fear about over the following two weeks.

This weekend, the NASCAR All-Star Race begins at 8pm EST on Sunday, which might grow to be a problem if Larson performs too properly in Indy 500 qualifying. If he’s quick sufficient to make the highest 12 on Saturday, there will not be an issue as these drivers will get out on observe between 4:05pm and 5:05pm EST on Sunday. But when he is adequate to get the Arrow McLaren Chevrolet into the Quick 6, he can be confronted with a tough resolution. The Quick 6 takes place between 6:25pm 6:55pm EST., which does not go away him a lot time to get again to North Wilkesboro in North Carolina.

The All-Star Race is an exhibition occasion, so Larson would not have to fret about it impacting his playoff eligibility if he have been to overlook it, however even nonetheless, he has made it clear that NASCAR takes precedence this 12 months “it doesn’t matter what.”

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Picture by: Chris Graythen – Getty Photos

Talking after Day 1 of Indy 500 follow on Tuesday, Larson stated a couple of potential battle between Indy 500 qualifying and the All-Star Race:  “At all times for me and undoubtedly for Rick [Hendrick] and Hendrick Motorsports, I believe, irrespective of via this entire expertise, particularly this 12 months, Cup needs to be the precedence. Yeah, I simply assume we’ll run the All-Star Race it doesn’t matter what.

“Hopefully we run into that predicament as a result of meaning our automotive is quick, and two, sure, it will be extraordinarily good to go for the pole on the Indianapolis 500, however on the identical time, it is onerous to show down a possibility to race for 1,000,000 {dollars}.

“Like I stated, I hope we’re in that predicament.”

Larson is a three-time winner of NASCAR’s All-Star Race, incomes the $1 million bonus in 2019, 2021, and 2023. Ought to he win it once more this 12 months, he’ll be part of Jimmie Johnson as the one four-time winner of the All-Star Race.