GettyChase Elliott prepares for qualifying at Phoenix Raceway.
There have been several examples in NASCAR history where teams had to apply for waivers that would keep their respective drivers eligible for the playoffs. This includes prominent examples in Kurt Busch (concussion), Alex Bowman (concussion), and Chris Buescher (COVID). Though
Chase Elliott will miss several races after suffering a fractured tibia in a snowboarding accident. Now NASCAR has addressed the possibility of Elliott receiving a waiver that will keep him eligible for the playoffs.
Elton Sawyer, NASCAR senior vice president of competition, weighed in about the situation during a Tuesday appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s “The Morning Drive.” Sawyer explained that NASCAR is still in the early stages of this process and that the focus is on Elliott’s recovery. Any decision about a waiver will not take place until the driver of the No. 9 is medically cleared to return.
👋🏼 “I wouldn’t see any reason that he wouldn’t be granted the waiver.”
🗣️ #NASCAR SVP of Competition Elton Sawyer told #TMDNASCAR dealing with ’s injury situation is nothing new for the sanctioning body and they handle waivers on a case-by-case basis. pic./CyAY1fz9ms
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) () March 7, 2023
“I wouldn’t see any reason that he wouldn’t be granted the waiver, but we’ll go through that process and make sure that we’re checking all the boxes,” Sawyer said. “This isn’t uncharted waters for us as a sanctioning body. Very similar situation to Tony Stewart a few years back.
“Our fans remember Tony was injured in a sprint car race in the preseason. And the waiver wasn’t granted, I believe, until April, and then he was cleared to come back racing at Richmond that year.”
NASCAR Has Granted Numerous Waivers Over the Years
GettyChase Elliott prepares for qualifying at Phoenix Raceway.
There have been several examples in NASCAR history where teams had to apply for waivers that would keep their respective drivers eligible for the playoffs. This includes prominent examples in Kurt Busch (concussion), Alex Bowman (concussion), and Chris Buescher (COVID). Though Busch ultimately withdrew from the playoffs.
Not all of the waivers were due to injury or illness, according to data gathered by Kickin’ the Tires writers Seth Eggert and Justin Schuoler. Matt Kenseth received a waiver in 2020 due to “extraordinary circumstances” as he replaced a suspended Kyle Larson while Johnny Sauter received a waiver in 2019 after NASCAR suspended him for an on-track incident involving Austin Hill.
Waivers for the #NASCARPlayoffs have been a topic of conversation recently.
How often has awarded waivers, to who, and why? Well, and I have a chart for that.
At least 21 …read more
Source:: Heavy.com