Hendrick Motorsport News

Chase Fan 79 said:
Now imagine of Joel Embid was healthy and skipped out on the 76ers to go play a big game in Europe. People would be outraged.
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I don't buy into the 'upset fan' theory. Larson planned to run the Charlotte race, not intentionally skip it or sit it out. Larson's fans knew over a year in advance he had a potential conflict, well before tickets went on sale. Missing the C600 due to trying the double has happened once in ... eight? attempts.

Also, I'd prefer this rule have more consequences for suspensions, preferably making the driver ineligible for the playoffs. Those have happened a lot more often in the last few years than attempts at the double, much less unsuccessful attempts.
 
Chase Fan 79 said:
So you don't think Mr H. would allow it?
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No. He doesn't have a driver that's capable of matching Kyle Larson for the other 10/15/20 races. No one does. And he certainly isn't going to pay Larson the same money to contribute less to the way in which Hendrick Motorsports gets money from NASCAR.

Chase Fan 79 said:
You are not wrong about the 76ers...all I am saying is the NBA has to at least appear to be doing something about it like NASCAR is. When I make these statements I am coming from NASCAR's POV and not that of caring more about the Indy 500 because I have really lost interest in that over the past few years. To each their own though. Glad you are still enjoying it and it's important.
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The NBA cares about a lot of things. It used to be that the pros didn't play for the US National Team to protect them in the NBA. Then they realized that letting players play overseas in major tournaments was a benefit to them. They still feel that way. The NHL feels that way too about hockey. Club soccer and national teams...I mean, c'mon. I know and you know that the problem the NBA has is no one cares about it before the Super Bowl and no one ever will care because 82 games is way too many and has been for a very long time. They've expanded the playoffs and added more games and teams to it, and this is the reaction some teams have as relates to trying to win championships (which clearly haven't been devalued to the same extent).

Larson races for money. He has always raced for money, and has always had to race for money since he basically left micros as a kid. That's why his t-shirts literally say YUNG MONEY on them. Watch his interview with David Gravel from last year or listen to what he is saying when he's interviewed for the Dirt documentary show.
 
Chase Fan 79 said:
So you don't think Mr H. would allow it? I think he would if Kyle wanted to do it and he had another driver willing to run the races Kyle did not.
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Mr. H answers to sponsors. I don't know how willing they'd be to pay for Kyle to run part-time. I do know they wouldn't be paying as much.

For the team to compete for the owner's championship, the second driver would have to be close to as good as Larson. Few drivers of that caliber are going to want to run part-time, since they wouldn't be eligible for the driver's championship.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I don't buy into the 'upset fan' theory. Larson planned to run the Charlotte race, not intentionally skip it or sit it out. Larson's fans knew over a year in advance he had a potential conflict, well before tickets went on sale. Missing the C600 due to trying the double has happened once in ... eight? attempts.
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We're also talking about Kyle Larson fans. Fans of the man known as Kyle Larson: co-owner of High Limit Racing, champion of the Chili Bowl and Knoxville Nationals and 4 Crown Nationals and Kings Royal and even I think a B-Mod race last year that was a support event to a late model race he was also participating in. That's who they are a fan of. Not a guy who has only run Cup races in the last 20 years. Not a guy who's career consists of "Daddy Moved Family to Mooresville and Bought Junior A Top Legends Ride at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Then A Late Model at Hickory." Kyle Larson. It would be like being a Deion Sanders fan but you hate that he plays baseball. Like, what are you even doing?
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Mr. H answers to sponsors. I don't know how willing they'd be to pay for Kyle to run part-time. I do know they wouldn't be paying as much.

For the team to compete for the owner's championship, the second driver would have to be close to as good as Larson. Few drivers of that caliber are going to want to run part-time, since they wouldn't be eligible for the driver's championship.
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Doesn't Rick himself sponsor that car the majority of the time with his car dealership? I think it could be doable. I also think there are plenty of good enough drivers out there to keep the car in the top 16 to compete for an owner's title If Kyle is willing to at least commit to running the playoffs. Hell, Josh Berry kept the 9 in the mix the year Chase was hurt and I think he is decent but not great. Honestly, I think overall that situation would be better for everyone as Larson could do what he wants, still run for and owner's title and NASCAR would even benefit from being able to use his name specifically to promote races he would be in which would be more of a special occasion. Do I think it will happen now though? No. That said, I could see a situation like this 5 +/- years down the road as I believe Kyle himself has said he does not see himself in NASCAR full time at 40+. He will be 33 this year so.....
 
virtualbalboa said:
No. He doesn't have a driver that's capable of matching Kyle Larson for the other 10/15/20 races. No one does. And he certainly isn't going to pay Larson the same money to contribute less to the way in which Hendrick Motorsports gets money from NASCAR.



The NBA cares about a lot of things. It used to be that the pros didn't play for the US National Team to protect them in the NBA. Then they realized that letting players play overseas in major tournaments was a benefit to them. They still feel that way. The NHL feels that way too about hockey. Club soccer and national teams...I mean, c'mon. I know and you know that the problem the NBA has is no one cares about it before the Super Bowl and no one ever will care because 82 games is way too many and has been for a very long time. They've expanded the playoffs and added more games and teams to it, and this is the reaction some teams have as relates to trying to win championships (which clearly haven't been devalued to the same extent).

Larson races for money. He has always raced for money, and has always had to race for money since he basically left micros as a kid. That's why his t-shirts literally say YUNG MONEY on them. Watch his interview with David Gravel from last year or listen to what he is saying when he's interviewed for the Dirt documentary show.
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I don't disagree with you - Kyle is here for money and his livelihood. Let's not forget he was fired back in 2020 and out of NASCAR but came back by choice - no one forced him. If people want to make the argument he came back then because he wanted to show how great he is and win a title then mission accomplished as 2021 for him will go down as one of the all-time great seasons. That was 4 years ago now though and I believe he has only made the final 4 once in the past 3 seasons and he had the proverbial "knife" of a car at Phoenix that HMS is bringing to that gun fight. Now I do believe what keeps him coming back is the money as I assume he cannot make the money he wants for his lifestyle doing sprint car stuff. If that's the case though he should just find a part time ride and no one should take issue with NASCAR making rules to protect the brand.

I also just have to say that I think you are putting Larson's driving ability to high on the pedestal. He is great yes - one of if not the best. There are other good drivers out there though. Let's not forget he is in a FAST car on a GREAT team with probably the best crew-chief in the sport right now.
 
Chase Fan 79 said:
I don't disagree with you - Kyle is here for money and his livelihood. Let's not forget he was fired back in 2020 and out of NASCAR but came back by choice - no one forced him. If people want to make the argument he came back then because he wanted to show how great he is and win a title then mission accomplished as 2021 for him will go down as one of the all-time great seasons. That was 4 years ago now though and I believe he has only made the final 4 once in the past 3 seasons and he had the proverbial "knife" of a car at Phoenix that HMS is bringing to that gun fight. Now I do believe what keeps him coming back is the money as I assume he cannot make the money he wants for his lifestyle doing sprint car stuff. If that's the case though he should just find a part time ride and no one should take issue with NASCAR making rules to protect the brand.

I also just have to say that I think you are putting Larson's driving ability to high on the pedestal. He is great yes - one of if not the best. There are other good drivers out there though. Let's not forget he is in a FAST car on a GREAT team with probably the best crew-chief in the sport right now.
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Kyle Larson came back to NASCAR because Hendrick gave him a seat and a big enough paycheck to do so. If no owner goes out and effectively self funds a Larson entry, he might not be in NASCAR now. As in today, January 29th, 2025. He'd have to go get his own sponsor and there's some, you know, baggage there which makes use of Larson as a spokesperson tough.

To make the plan of part-time Larson work well for the owner's points and Hendrick, he needs another Larson-caliber racer who is OK with only racing part time and whom wouldn't be gobbled up by another team looking to pay him as a full time driver. I cannot for the life of me think of a single driver in the entirety of the world who meets this criteria, much less anyone in the NASCAR pipeline today. The more people you chain together, the more people who could be getting a check from someone else, so "Larson for 19 races, SVG at the road/street, McDowell at the plate tracks" starts to fall apart the second you realize any of these people would earn more racing 38 times in Cup alone, much less any alternative options they have for racing.
 
I don’t understand the concept of penalizing one of your brightest stars because he participates in the biggest race in the world and due to circumstances beyond his control, is unable to compete in your 600 miler on the same day.

Who in hell is “managing” NASCAR PR policy? Let’s crap all over a golden opportunity … this from the same outfit that waived another of their popular stars through to the playoffs in spite of having suspended him for one race after a petulant display of rough, over-aggressive driving.

Maybe they’ll cool their jets after they get slapped down in the courts.
 
Oh no Rick…..another Corvette at the cost of getting the cars to run better at Phoenix
 
aunty dive said:
I don’t understand the concept of penalizing one of your brightest stars because he participates in the biggest race in the world and due to circumstances beyond his control, is unable to compete in your 600 miler on the same day.

Who in hell is “managing” NASCAR PR policy? Let’s crap all over a golden opportunity … this from the same outfit that waived another of their popular stars through to the playoffs in spite of having suspended him for one race after a petulant display of rough, over-aggressive driving.

Maybe they’ll cool their jets after they get slapped down in the courts.
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Larson or any other Nascar driver that chooses to participate in the Indy 500 do not get penalized. They get penalized for missing Nascar's 600. The witch hunting might make sense then.
 
aunty dive said:
I don’t understand the concept of penalizing one of your brightest stars because he participates in the biggest race in the world and due to circumstances beyond his control, is unable to compete in your 600 miler on the same day.
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StandOnIt said:
Larson or any other Nascar driver that chooses to participate in the Indy 500 do not get penalized. They get penalized for missing Nascar's 600. The witch hunting might make sense then.
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Clearly, I’m aware of that.

You’re often over-eager.
 
On topic, it seems to me that after filing a timely entry, paying the appropriate fees, transporting cars, equipment and personnel to Indianapolis, participating in practice sessions, qualifying in the field and getting everything prepared on race morning only to have bad weather delay the start and finish of the 500 it’s unfair to penalize Larson with the loss of all playoff points because they couldn’t make the 600.
 
virtualbalboa said:
Kyle Larson came back to NASCAR because Hendrick gave him a seat and a big enough paycheck to do so. If no owner goes out and effectively self funds a Larson entry, he might not be in NASCAR now. As in today, January 29th, 2025. He'd have to go get his own sponsor and there's some, you know, baggage there which makes use of Larson as a spokesperson tough.

To make the plan of part-time Larson work well for the owner's points and Hendrick, he needs another Larson-caliber racer who is OK with only racing part time and whom wouldn't be gobbled up by another team looking to pay him as a full time driver. I cannot for the life of me think of a single driver in the entirety of the world who meets this criteria, much less anyone in the NASCAR pipeline today. The more people you chain together, the more people who could be getting a check from someone else, so "Larson for 19 races, SVG at the road/street, McDowell at the plate tracks" starts to fall apart the second you realize any of these people would earn more racing 38 times in Cup alone, much less any alternative options they have for racing.
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I get what you are saying but the notion that the driver needs to be as talented as Larson is just far-fetched to me. This is HMS, this is a top ride with top equipment (except at Loudon and Phoenix of late) and one of the best crew-chiefs in the biz. I am pretty confident they could keep the car in the top 16 and if Larson is at least willing to commit to all the playoff races they would be fine.
 
aunty dive said:
I don’t understand the concept of penalizing one of your brightest stars because he participates in the biggest race in the world and due to circumstances beyond his control, is unable to compete in your 600 miler on the same day.

Who in hell is “managing” NASCAR PR policy? Let’s crap all over a golden opportunity … this from the same outfit that waived another of their popular stars through to the playoffs in spite of having suspended him for one race after a petulant display of rough, over-aggressive driving.

Maybe they’ll cool their jets after they get slapped down in the courts.
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I think the flaw in your logic is 2 things - First, while Larson is the topic right now, the rule is not all about him. It's about NASCAR realizing the issue with drivers voluntarily skipping races or making other plans that affect their ability to make races. Second - you are saying "let's crap all over a golden opportunity" but it's debatable as to if NASCAR could see a measurable ROI on the exposure Larson running the 500 would give them and regardless of that, again, they have an obligation to the TV networks, sponsors and tracks to show they are doing all in their power to have the marketed drivers there.

I know many are not happy with this but all they are thinking about is the driver - not the sport. NASCAR could be WAY worse and make all full-time drivers sign contract that state they are not to participate in other motorsports if they were so inclined but they are not. What they are doing is perfectly reasonable in saying drivers are free to do what they want so long as they show up for their day job. I have said before - I work a part time job and if I failed to how up to my full time job because my schedule at my part time shifted I would get FIRED - It's right in the moonlighting agreement I signed. NASCAR is optional for Kyle - no one is forcing him to show.

And....courts? LOL. I know you must be kidding.
 
Chase Fan 79 said:
What they are doing is perfectly reasonable in saying drivers are free to do what they want so long as they show up for their day job.
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Unlike your full-time job, drivers don't work for NASCAR. They work for the owners. NASCAR has no say in how the owners choose to manage their employees.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Unlike your full-time job, drivers don't work for NASCAR. They work for the owners. NASCAR has no say in how the owners choose to manage their employees.
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I know but the owners have team to run and it's all part of the big picture and aging no one is forcing anyone - they are free to bounce any time they want. They are playing in NASCAR's yard and are free to take their ball and go home whenever they like. No one can come into the yard and make the rules.
 
aunty dive said:
On topic, it seems to me that after filing a timely entry, paying the appropriate fees, transporting cars, equipment and personnel to Indianapolis, participating in practice sessions, qualifying in the field and getting everything prepared on race morning only to have bad weather delay the start and finish of the 500 it’s unfair to penalize Larson with the loss of all playoff points because they couldn’t make the 600.
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No it isn't.
 
Chase Fan 79 said:
I know but the owners have team to run and it's all part of the big picture and aging no one is forcing anyone - they are free to bounce any time they want. They are playing in NASCAR's yard and are free to take their ball and go home whenever they like. No one can come into the yard and make the rules.
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The drivers are independent contractors. They aren't even employees. And I don't know that acting even MORE like a monopoly is going to be helpful to NASCAR right now.
 
Maybe not but no matter how you slice it there is no arguing against NASCAR's current liability to the TV networks and tracks and that no matter who is in charge of what that Rick and Kyle both can choose to follow the rule or not.
 
Chase Fan 79 said:
Maybe not but no matter how you slice it there is no arguing against NASCAR's current liability to the TV networks and tracks and that no matter who is in charge of what that Rick and Kyle both can choose to follow the rule or not.
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If Kyle Larson retires or loses his ride to Hendrick, what does he owe the TV network? The TV network contracted with NASCAR. That doesn't mean NASCAR gets to act however it wants to in order to put a race on Fox.
 
virtualbalboa said:
If Kyle Larson retires or loses his ride to Hendrick, what does he owe the TV network? The TV network contracted with NASCAR. That doesn't mean NASCAR gets to act however it wants to in order to put a race on Fox.
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The way I see it is this - NASCAR markets their product to these networks and tracks and make monetary agreements with them where they are agreeing pay "X" to NASCAR because NASCAR is saying "we will bring you the likes of Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney and....." So if NASCAR does not make every reasonable effort and rule to ensure they are obligated in some way to be there then they might be in breach of their contract. Do I think this is always results in what is best for fans? Nope. However, without all the TV money there would be no NASCAR as it is now and the drivers would not be able to make the money that keeps them coming back. This is exactly why viewership has dropped off since the peak times of the mid-to late 2000's but it is what it is and they have to do what they can to protect what they do still have.

So - What's the solution here? How does NASCAR meet this obligation AND allow drivers to do what they want? In my opinion they have come as close as they are going to in accomplishing both. I have been a critic of a lot of things they have done and decisions they have made but in this case I agree with the handling of it. They easily could have not given Kyle a waiver last season but they did and then this year made sure he understood the rule and possible consequence. I just see no issue with this.

If Kyle moves on what does he owe them? Not a damn thing but that's a 2 way street also. NASCAR owes him nothing. They are already currently providing a national stage on which he can showcase his talent and make a lot of money and they don't need him or any other driver in particular to do it. Kyle now knows the risk/reward and is free to make whatever decision he likes based on that. If he says F this and bails now it would make a big statement but I doubt NASCAR will change anything.
 
Chase Fan 79 said:
The way I see it is this - NASCAR markets their product to these networks and tracks and make monetary agreements with them where they are agreeing pay "X" to NASCAR because NASCAR is saying "we will bring you the likes of Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney and....." So if NASCAR does not make every reasonable effort and rule to ensure they are obligated in some way to be there then they might be in breach of their contract. Do I think this is always results in what is best for fans? Nope. However, without all the TV money there would be no NASCAR as it is now and the drivers would not be able to make the money that keeps them coming back. This is exactly why viewership has dropped off since the peak times of the mid-to late 2000's but it is what it is and they have to do what they can to protect what they do still have.

So - What's the solution here? How does NASCAR meet this obligation AND allow drivers to do what they want? In my opinion they have come as close as they are going to in accomplishing both. I have been a critic of a lot of things they have done and decisions they have made but in this case I agree with the handling of it. They easily could have not given Kyle a waiver last season but they did and then this year made sure he understood the rule and possible consequence. I just see no issue with this.

If Kyle moves on what does he owe them? Not a damn thing but that's a 2 way street also. NASCAR owes him nothing. They are already currently providing a national stage on which he can showcase his talent and make a lot of money and they don't need him or any other driver in particular to do it. Kyle now knows the risk/reward and is free to make whatever decision he likes based on that. If he says F this and bails now it would make a big statement but I doubt NASCAR will change anything.
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NASCAR has made zero agreements with the drivers unless the drivers own the team they race for. The teams have been challenged to have drivers be exclusive to them because the share of revenue to drivers has decreased, not increased, over the last 20 years, and nonexclusively to Cup has become necessary for retention. "Kyle Larson makes more from selling merch in a single weekend at Knoxville than he gets from merch all year in Cup" is probably true and probably an expected income stream for him now that I doubt he would simply give away for nothing, which is what the sort of expectation you're suggesting NASCAR needs to set would be.

The reason why F1 drivers never do anything else is those teams pay top guys A LOT and they bubble wrap them so that they don't lose their investment. If you can't pay someone like that, that someone is gonna seek a way to make some side money. When NASCAR drivers and F1 drivers were competitive in salary structure, what you're describing is what you saw.
 
Chase Fan 79 said:
Maybe not but no matter how you slice it there is no arguing against NASCAR's current liability to the TV networks and tracks and that no matter who is in charge of what that Rick and Kyle both can choose to follow the rule or not.
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Okay, I'll argue it. In what contractually specified way is NASCAR legally liable to the tracks and tube for driver participation?

This reminds me of those comments a few years ago that NASCAR was required in the TV contracts for a full 43-car field. No one ever offered documentation proving that.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Okay, I'll argue it. In what contractually specified way is NASCAR legally liable to the tracks and tube for driver participation?

This reminds me of those comments a few years ago that NASCAR was required in the TV contracts for a full 43-car field. No one ever offered documentation proving that.
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I put those in the R-F nobody knows squat drawer myself.
 
virtualbalboa said:
NASCAR has made zero agreements with the drivers unless the drivers own the team they race for. The teams have been challenged to have drivers be exclusive to them because the share of revenue to drivers has decreased, not increased, over the last 20 years, and nonexclusively to Cup has become necessary for retention. "Kyle Larson makes more from selling merch in a single weekend at Knoxville than he gets from merch all year in Cup" is probably true and probably an expected income stream for him now that I doubt he would simply give away for nothing, which is what the sort of expectation you're suggesting NASCAR needs to set would be.

The reason why F1 drivers never do anything else is those teams pay top guys A LOT and they bubble wrap them so that they don't lose their investment. If you can't pay someone like that, that someone is gonna seek a way to make some side money. When NASCAR drivers and F1 drivers were competitive in salary structure, what you're describing is what you saw.
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I am not saying you are wrong about any of that but while they do not "own" the drivers they do own the sport and have the right to say if you want to run for our title you need to show up for all the races. I really see nothing wrong with what they did here among many other poor/head scratching decisions they have made.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Okay, I'll argue it. In what contractually specified way is NASCAR legally liable to the tracks and tube for driver participation?

This reminds me of those comments a few years ago that NASCAR was required in the TV contracts for a full 43-car field. No one ever offered documentation proving that.
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I don't remember the 43 car field stuff but don't you think when NASCAR was negotiating deals with the tracks and TV that the stars of the sport were part of that? Obviously I can't say for sure unless I see the contracts but common sense is telling me that part of those deals are that NASCAR is to make every reasonable effort to ensure the big names are there on race day.
 
Chase Fan 79 said:
... don't you think when NASCAR was negotiating deals with the tracks and TV that the stars of the sport were part of that?
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First, NASCAR doesn't negotiate with tracks they own. As to the others, most have to request spots on the schedule. Other than LA, Chicago, and maybe Mexico City, there's nothing to negotiate. Take the date offered of leave it.

Otherwise, no, I don't think NASCAR had to promise TV certain drivers would be there every week. How does one specify exactly who's required to be there? What happens if Larson pulls a Carl Edwards and simply walks away? What if he sticks his foot in his mouth again and Hendrick has to can him? What about someone who emerges as a front runner three years from now? At what point is it decided he or she is 'star' and is required to be there by TV?

Drivers and team employees work for owners. NASCAR can ban individuals from its properties and garages. 'Common Sense' says you don't make a contractual obligation you know you can't fulfill. NASCAR can't require someone to be there involuntarily. It can penalize absences via sanctions but it can't force anyone to participate. Hell, it hasn't even been able to force them to not sandbag. That's a bigger problem than a one-off absence.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
First, NASCAR doesn't negotiate with tracks they own. As to the others, most have to request spots on the schedule. Other than LA, Chicago, and maybe Mexico City, there's nothing to negotiate. Take the date offered of leave it.

Otherwise, no, I don't think NASCAR had to promise TV certain drivers would be there every week. How does one specify exactly who's required to be there? What happens if Larson pulls a Carl Edwards and simply walks away? What if he sticks his foot in his mouth again and Hendrick has to can him? What about someone who emerges as a front runner three years from now? At what point is it decided he or she is 'star' and is required to be there by TV?

Drivers and team employees work for owners. NASCAR can ban individuals from its properties and garages. 'Common Sense' says you don't make a contractual obligation you know you can't fulfill. NASCAR can't require someone to be there involuntarily. It can penalize absences via sanctions but it can't force anyone to participate. Hell, it hasn't even been able to force them to not sandbag. That's a bigger problem than a one-off absence.
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I think it's understood that since NASCAR does not own drivers they can't prevent them from walking away or if teams decide to fire them. To me, it's all about what CAN they do and this is one thing they CAN do. They can say if you choose not to show up for all the races then you will not win our title. It's is ironic to me that everyone (including me) seemed to take issue with Joey's title last year but many that took issue with it are OK with a driver taking a race off intentionally to do something else winning the title.

Either way though- whether we talk about contract or obligations and promoting drivers at tracks I LOVE seeing cup drivers doing other stuff but I also see NASCAR's side of it and I am glad they can't make a rule that forbids it completely. Whether my feelings on the contract stuff is right or wrong it's clear that NASCAR is trying to avoid their sport getting watered down by big names not showing up voluntarily. It's not that I "agree" with what they did but I feel like I "accept" or understand where they are coming from. So many Larson fans seem to think NASCAR just has it our form him which is just dumb in my opinion.
 
Chase Fan 79 said:
Whether my feelings on the contract stuff is right or wrong it's clear that NASCAR is trying to avoid their sport getting watered down by big names not showing up voluntarily. It's not that I "agree" with what they did but I feel like I "accept" or understand where they are coming from. So many Larson fans seem to think NASCAR just has it our form him which is just dumb in my opinion.
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I think NASCAR is over-reacting to a situation that's happened once. In 14 attempts, including 10 in the 'modern era', this is the first time a driver has missed the 600.

I also think many people are over-reacting to a penalty with minimal potential to be applied. Again, this is the first time a driver doing the double has missed the 600. This isn't likely to happen any other weekend.

I think NASCAR is not reacting firmly enough to suspensions. If a driver misses a race due to a suspension, he should lose playoff eligibility. Missing a race because you broke the rules and were explicitly barred from running should carry a heavier penalty than missing one you planned to run.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I don't buy into the 'upset fan' theory. Larson planned to run the Charlotte race, not intentionally skip it or sit it out. Larson's fans knew over a year in advance he had a potential conflict, well before tickets went on sale. Missing the C600 due to trying the double has happened once in ... eight? attempts.

Also, I'd prefer this rule have more consequences for suspensions, preferably making the driver ineligible for the playoffs. Those have happened a lot more often in the last few years than attempts at the double, much less unsuccessful attempts.
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Please stop it with the being logical or reasonable approach.
 
Once again, I think it would be unfair if we didn't throw the blame on the TV weasels and of course that dastardly Nascar. Big Bill had all of this fixed when he came up with instead of the 500 let's make it the 600 and run the race the same time as the Indy500. Times slowly changed and when it was sold to the brass at Nascar that the all important TV ratings would be better if they held the 600 right after the Indy 500 and so it went.

Times changed and once again it was decided that moving into the later prime time TV slot would be even better$$ for Nascar so now that change makes it easy for a team to run both races if you ignore mother nature.

Truth be told, Nascar would probably love to ban anybody from racing in the Indy 500, but the $$cat is out of the bag already, so lets split the middle for the outraged Nascar fans and have a ridiculous rule change....that they will change sooner or later.
 
Oh look now people can argue about 2 rules in 1
Screenshot_20250131_105401_Bluesky.jpg
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I think NASCAR is over-reacting to a situation that's happened once. In 14 attempts, including 10 in the 'modern era', this is the first time a driver has missed the 600.

I also think many people are over-reacting to a penalty with minimal potential to be applied. Again, this is the first time a driver doing the double has missed the 600. This isn't likely to happen any other weekend.

I think NASCAR is not reacting firmly enough to suspensions. If a driver misses a race due to a suspension, he should lose playoff eligibility. Missing a race because you broke the rules and were explicitly barred from running should carry a heavier penalty than missing one you planned to run.
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Yeah - That's where I have been coming from in that while I understand people don't agree with it I think there has been a ton of overreaction for something that likely will not happen again and if it does at least Kyle will know the ramifications of his decision. I think people forget that last season NASCAR could have denied his waiver although that did not seem likely so he did stay in Indy knowing that technically he might no longer be able to win a championship. That's why I find the idea that NASCAR has an issue with Larson doing this to be a joke. If they wanted to be more harsh about it they could I am sure.
 
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