“You can but you’re going to pay a price”: Influencer explains NASCAR’s iron fist that could crush Kyle Larson’s dreams

NASCAR YouTuber Eric Estepp explained how the sanctioning body's new rule could dash Kyle Larson's Memorial Day Double prospects. The Hendrick Motorsport driver missed the Coca-Cola 600 last season but got a waiver for the playoffs. However, a big change has been made risking the #5 Chevy driver's title bid.

NASCAR recently released its updated rulebook, making several changes to the Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP), race manipulation penalty, playoff waiver, and more.

According to the preceding rule, NASCAR could either grant a waiver to make the driver eligible for the title fight or deny it. Under the new rules, even though the sanctioning body can issue a playoff waiver, the driver could not begin the final 10-race slate with more than 2000 playoff points. It's worth mentioning that drivers, who fit for a medical waiver and age restriction, may not lose the playoff points ceiling.

That being said, if Kyle Larson fails to participate in the 2025 Coca-Cola 600, he might get a waiver like this past season but would have a big disadvantage in the Round of 16.

Thus, Estepp expressed his opinions about the change.

"I think it's safe to say that if it's going to rain in Indianapolis again this year, Kyle Larson ain't sticking around. They will be jetting him off to Charlotte as quickly as they possibly can," Estepp said.

Estepp shared his inclination to the rule, saying that though the sanctioning body was correct in granting Larson the waiver, a degree of repercussion is "fair."

"I honestly don't mind this compromise. I actually don't. Some people are going to think this is petty....this is a fair compromise in my opinion. If you really want to miss a NASCAR race for something else, you can but you're going to pay a price."

Had the rule been in practice this season and the HMS superstar wouldn't have won the Bristol playoff race, he might've not made it beyond the Round of 16.

Kyle Larson arrived so late in Charlotte that he failed to pilot his #5 Chevy in the race

Kyle Larson is the most recent driver to attempt the Memorial Day Indy-Charlotte Double. Several NASCAR drivers have given a shot to complete the exhausting 1100-mile affair on a single day but only Tony Stewart has succeeded thus far. Larson tried to join the three-time Cup Series champion's ranks but rain plagued the Indy 500 race.

The 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing' was halted for four hours before the HMS driver resumed his run. He finished 18th but was already behind schedule for the Coca-Cola 600. The Californian flew to Charlotte just to see the crown jewel race paused due to heavy downpours.

The 2021 Cup Series champion was set to replace Justin Allgaier and at least participate in the race, but the officials canceled the race. As a result, Larson missed the race and became dependent on the waiver to safeguard his title fight.

But amid the changed rules, Kyle Larson and Rick Hendrick might find themselves in a dilemma, considering that HMS' owner paid a whopping $3 million for his driver's Indy 500 entry.