New Rule Could Force Kyle Larson To Pick NASCAR Over Indy

Kyle Larson has his sights set on a rare achievement in motorsports: completing the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Just four drivers have finished this double, with Kurt Busch the last to do it in 2014.

Larson came close in 2024, but a rain delay at Indy forced him to miss the start of the NASCAR race in Charlotte, cutting short his chance to put his name in the record books. After that attempt, NASCAR chose to give Larson a playoff waiver, allowing him to compete for the Cup Series title even though he missed the race start.

However, after reviewing the situation and calling it “uncharted waters,” NASCAR has updated the waiver rules for 2025. Under the new guidelines, drivers who miss a race for non-medical reasons—such as running the Indy 500 instead of the Coca-Cola 600—will face tougher consequences if they apply for a waiver.

Starting with the 2025 season, if Larson misses the start at Charlotte again, he could still get a waiver, but he would lose all 23 playoff points he earned so far this year. Those points are key advantages in moving through the Cup Series playoffs, and no one else in the field has collected more at this stage.

On top of that, Larson would not be able to earn any additional playoff points for the rest of the regular season, which could set him back starting the 16-driver playoffs while others have a cushion to fall back on. There is a small list of exceptions to the rule.

Drivers missing events because of the birth of a child, family emergencies, or issues such as medical reasons and age limits can still apply for a waiver without penalty. However, choosing a race at Indianapolis over one in Charlotte no longer counts as a free pass.

Larson now faces a tight balancing act as he prepares for the next two weeks. The biggest risk centers on the timing between Indy 500 activities and NASCAR obligations.

If rain or delays return, he may have to make a last-minute choice. This weekend brings another potential scheduling conflict: the NASCAR All-Star Race is set for Sunday at 8 p.m. Eastern.

If Larson qualifies among the top six in Indy 500 time trials, the Fast 6 is held late in the afternoon, with little time to travel from Indianapolis to North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Fortunately for Larson, the All-Star Race is an exhibition event and does not affect playoff eligibility, so missing it would not cost him crucial points.

Still, Larson has stated that driving for Hendrick Motorsports in the Cup Series is his top priority this year, no matter what opportunities arise in open-wheel racing. Larson is already a three-time winner of the NASCAR All-Star Race, taking home the $1 million prize in 2019, 2021, and 2023.

If he wins again, he would tie Jimmie Johnson as the only four-time winner in the All-Star event’s history. While Indy remains a dream, the new NASCAR rule leaves him with little room for error.

The unique challenge of balancing two top races in a single day now comes with higher stakes attached.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.