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One of NASCAR’s biggest names could be missing the playoffs in 2024.
That’s not an entirely unusual proposition: just last year, stock car racing’s biggest star, Chase Elliott, fell short of postseason qualification after a campaign from hell. Kyle Larson’s potential absence in this season’s upcoming playoffs could prove more contentious, however.
After all, the Hendrick Motorsports supernova has already captured two checkered flags this season and sits second on points. Based purely on his on-track performance, Larson has already punched a ticket into the Big Dance.
looking in. He sits somewhere between limbo and abyss in the Cup Series standings this year. And after helping further prop the sport into national consciousness during an impressive run at the Indy 500, the prospect of Larson — an indisputable championship threat — falling short of playoff qualification is a confounding sight, even for the biggest NASCAR enthusiasts.
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Kyle Larson waiver controversy, explained
When Larson’s team, Hendrick Motorsports, issued a postseason waiver for Larson, it appeared to be a foregone conclusion that it would be accepted. NASCAR has been fairly laissez-faire when it comes to giving out playoff vouchers in the past, offering not only to drivers who suffered injuries while in their chariots (Kyle Busch, Alex Bowman) but also to those who have been suspended.
Just last year, Elliott was granted not one, but two waivers: one for injury (he broke his leg while snowboarding), the other after he was handed a one-race ban for intentionally wrecking Denny Hamlin.
NASCAR’s official stance on making it to the postseason is as follows:
