Kyle Larson ‘wasn’t really paying attention to’ playoff waiver process

For the first time since being approved for a playoff waiver, Kyle Larson has spoken on the moment. One was needed after Larson missed the Coca-Cola 600 in favor of the Indianapolis 500 over Memorial Day Weekend. Hendrick Motorsports applied for the waiver, hoping to have one of NASCAR’s best drivers participate in the playoffs.

Larson is relieved to be approved and still still contending for a championship. Although, he claims he wasn’t paying too much attention to the waiver process. The biggest thing on Larson’s mind was having his name attached to a potential title.

“I think there’s relief on my end even though I wasn’t really paying attention to it,” Larson said. “…I cared but the thing I care the most about is the owner championship. At least in that moment. … I was a little less stressed out about it than I think what everyone would imagine you to be. I’m just happy that if I do win a championship now, I can have my name (on it).”

When asked about his experience of racing in the Indy 500 and then attempting to race in Charlotte, Larson said he “really enjoyed” the experience. However, he admitted to wishing the weather turned out better in both places, allowing him to showcase himself better.

Elton Sawyer explains why NASCAR granted Kyle Larson waiver for playoffs

NASCAR announced Tuesday it has granted Kyle Larson a waiver to remain eligible for the 2024 Cup Series playoffs.

Speaking with the media after making the announcement, NASCAR senior vice president of competition Elton Sawyer explained that Larson doing everything in his power to race in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway played a role in the decision to give him a waiver.

“Kyle made every attempt to get to Charlotte,” Sawyer said, via Jeff Gluck of The Athletic. “He was standing in the pit box with his helmet on, ready to go.”

Sawyer added that it isn’t in NASCAR’s best interest to deny fans the chance to see Larson compete for a second Cup Series championship, an opportunity he earned after winning two races earlier this season.

“To not have Kyle Larson in our playoff and give our fans the opportunity the chance to see him race for a championship… at the end of the day, that didn’t feel like that was the right decision for us to make. We didn’t,” Sawyer said.

On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this report.