DETROIT – IndyCar owner Roger Penske and General Motors racing director Jim Campbell both believe Kyle Larson and Hendrick Motorsports deserve a waiver so Larson is not left out of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs 2024.
“It depends on NASCAR,” Penske told NBCSports.com Thursday in Detroit, site of this weekend’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix IndyCar Series race. “I mean, I definitely want to see him not lose anything coming to the Indy 500, that’s for sure. But Larson came here with Hendrick Motorsports to race, they did a great job and I think it’s great for the sport.
“It’s really good for NASCAR. I know they will handle it properly.
May 24, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, United States; IndyCar Series team owner and track president Roger Penske was on hand during final Carb Day practice for the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Roger Penske — Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Larson was already assured of a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs having won two of the first 13 races in 2024. But that eligibility is now in doubt as he missed the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway for participate in the 108th Indianapolis 500. The 500-mile race was delayed four hours due to rain on May 26.
Larson and Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick and vice president Jeff Gordon have decided to make Larson’s efforts in the Indy 500 their top priority and have Justin Allgaier start the 600 in the stock car Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet.
Larson did everything possible to reclaim his spot in the race and arrived in Charlotte at 9:13 p.m. ET on Sunday evening. Ten minutes after arriving and waiting in the pits to take over, a storm hit the speedway and the race was red flagged.
Racing never resumed and the race was declared official with Christopher Bell as the winner.
Because Larson skipped a NASCAR Cup Series race, he must obtain a playoff waiver from the sanctioning body to participate in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Under NASCAR rules, a driver must start all 26 regular season races to be eligible for the playoffs.
Tuesday morning, a competition official said that NASCAR was awaiting a waiver request from Hendrick Motorsports.
Hendrick Motorsports has not yet submitted a waiver request if Larson misses the start of the Coca-Cola 600.
In the past, waivers were granted to drivers who missed races due to injuries but were nonetheless allowed to qualify for the playoffs.
This would be the first time a driver was granted a waiver for missing a NASCAR Cup Series race in order to compete in a race in another major racing series.
Larson is one of NASCAR’s star drivers and one of Chevrolet’s top drivers.
“Well, first of all, the Hendrick organization will engage with NASCAR on this,” Campbell, GM’s U.S. vice president of performance and motorsports, told NBCSports.com. “What Kyle has done for all of motorsports is really raise the profile of what’s happening in NASCAR. Also, his skillset allows him to apply it to another series like IndyCar and show off his skills.
Jim Campbell (center), vice president of performance and motorsports for General Motors, sits on stage with a panel during a press conference at Wintergarden inside the General Motors Renaissance Center on Tuesday, November 23 2021 to talk about Lear’s 2023 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix returning to the streets of downtown Detroit. 112321 Grand Prix Press2 Copy
Jim Campbell — Ryan Garza / USA TODAY NETWORK
“He’s an extraordinary driver. He’s a NASCAR champion. He shows that he can race in any different series, and he has elevated all of motorsports and attracted attention.
“We have IndyCar fans who are watching now and becoming fans of what’s happening in NASCAR because of Kyle and then I think there are NASCAR fans who are kind of checking out what’s happening in IndyCar, so I think it’s a win all the way around.
“The decision is up to NASCAR, and I know the Hendrick organization is making its case.”
NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Rick Hendrick teamed up with NASCAR president Jim France last year to help line up an entry in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The joint effort between Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR placed the Chevrolet Camaro as “Garage 56” in this prestigious race.
LE MANS, FRANCE – JUNE 03: Fans gather around the NASCAR Next Gen Garage 56 Chevrolet ZL1 before the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at Circuit de la Sarthe on June 3, 2023 in Le Mans, France. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The NASCAR Chevrolet stock car was very popular at Le Mans, completed the 24-hour race and elevated NASCAR’s place in international motorsport.
“Well, Garage 56 was an initiative in itself,” Campbell said. “It was, I think, a victory for Chevrolet, Goodyear and Hendrick in NASCAR at Le Mans on the world stage.
“I think the team did a fabulous job and brought a lot of attention to NASCAR. These are all positive things to bring more attention to NASCAR. Everything is positive.
“Again, NASCAR officials will review all the facts and make their decisions.
“It’s their call.”
Full specifications have been revealed for the Garage 56 Camaro which will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of a joint project between NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports.
NBCSports.com asked Campbell if he was surprised by the perceived delay and possible pushback from NASCAR on Larson’s Indy 500 effort.
“I think Kyle has done a lot of positive things,” Campbell said. “He’s a NASCAR champion; he brought a lot of attention to the series that will help grow the NASCAR series by being part of this IndyCar effort in the Indianapolis 500.
“For us, he drives Chevrolets in NASCAR and a Chevrolet powertrain in IndyCar.
“We view this as a win-win situation, and I hope they do too.”
Follow Bruce Martin on Twitter at @BruceMartin_500