Hendrick Motorsports has applied for a waiver but NASCAR has not granted it. Larson is not eligible for the playoffs at this point even though he would have secured a spot with two wins this season.
A NASCAR spokesperson told NBC Sports on Friday that there was no timetable for a decision.
Section 12.3.2.1.A of the Cup Rule Book states: “Unless otherwise authorized by NASCAR, driver(s) and Team Owner(s) must start all Championship Events of the current season to be eligible for The Playoffs. If a starting position was not earned, then the driver(s) and Team Owner(s) must have attempted to Qualify, at the discretion of the Series Managing Director, for the Race.”
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Larson told reporters Saturday at World Wide Technology Raceway that he’s “not” stressed about his playoff status. “It’s not up to me,” he said. “I’ll be here every weekend.”
Asked what he would do if he didn’t get a waiver, Larson told reporters Saturday: “I would not do anything different. I would try to win a championship.”
— NBC Sports —