The talk of NASCAR right now is whether or not Kyle Larson deserves a waiver for missing the Coca-Cola 600. Bubba Wallace is unsure. The 23XI Racing driver is no stranger to needing a waiver of his own, though.
Back in the 2022 season at the Las Vegas playoff race, Bubba Wallace wrecked Kyle Larson intentionally, right rear-hooking him. Wallace was then suspended for the following race but received a waiver.
Now, Larson needs permission from NASCAR to be championship-eligible after missing the Coca-Cola 600 for the Indy 500 since bad weather ruined his attempt at the Double.
Ahead of the Enjoy Illinois 300, Wallace was asked about NASCAR’s hottest debate topic by Kenny Wallace at Track Side Live. He gave an interesting answer.
“We’ve given waivers out for everything, right? But the thing that I do see, which I don’t know the thought process of who’s making the decision, right?” Wallace asked the crowd. “He made a choice. He made the choice to run the Indy 500. Knew that weather was bad, knew all that stuff, made a great attempt to get there, but he made a choice. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
When Bubba Wallace says “He made a choice,” I tend to agree. Also, I believe that could be a call-back to his own suspension. A few people, maybe even Denny Hamlin, said the same about Wallace deciding to wreck Larson at Vegas two years ago.
Personally, giving a waiver to Kyle Larson is a no-brainer. Last season ratings were down for the playoffs after Chase Elliott failed to make the postseason. Larson’s attempt at the Double brought eyes to the sport and for that, he deserves to get a waiver.
Choosing to pull your most talented driver from the championship race at the beginning of June would be detrimental to the sport of NASCAR. Bubba Wallace has his own feelings about the situation, I understand that.
However, there is no question that without Larson in the playoffs, NASCAR would be hurt. Does this open the door for drivers to miss races in the future? I doubt it. The Indy 500 is a very specific event. The Double is a very specific case in particular.
When people talk about the bad precedent it sets, I ask, who else would need this waiver? There are few drivers in NASCAR capable and willing to attempt the Double. The Kyle Larson situation is a unique one that deserves a waiver. Let’s get this approved already and quit talking about it.
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