Some Drivers Might Not Agree With Stewart’s Chase Waiver

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

When Tony Stewart announced that he was coming back to racing this weekend in Atlanta a lot of questions were raised. One of the questions was about the 2014 chase and whether or not NASCAR would grant him a waiver to become eligible for it. Entering Atlanta on Sunday Stewart is 26th in the points meaning that he will need a win over the final two races to make the chase. Stewart required a waiver from NASCAR because the chase rules state that a driver must qualify and compete in every race leading to the chase. Stewart obviously wasn’t able to do this when he missed the last three races in the wake of the Kevin Ward Jr. Tragedy.

More from NASCAR

• NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
• NASCAR: Will Kevin Harvick’s major record ever be broken?
• NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
• NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
• NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago

The rule also states that certain circumstances deemed unique by NASCAR could allow for a driver to be given a waiver. NASCAR and Mike Helton felt that this situation warranted a special waiver.

"I’ll remind everybody back earlier this year when we announced the format for the ’14 Chase, that announcement included some responsibility about the routine participation in the season in order to be eligible in the Chase. Along with that importance of routine participation also came the asterisk, so to speak, about except in rare instances. This has been a very unique set of circumstances to Tony and to our sport. As the league, it’s our responsibility to try to make decisions that are correct and right. Sometimes we evaluate circumstances that are given us and then make those decisions as correctly as we can. After evaluating the circumstances around this occurrence, we’ve come to the conclusion that Tony would be eligible to participate in the Chase if he were to earn a spot in it."

While I like many other fans believe that this was the right thing for NASCAR to do; there are many who believe that Stewart should not have been made eligible to compete in the 2014 chase. While the majority of the critics of NASCAR’ decision are fans, it would appear that at least two drivers seems to be weary of the ruling.

The first driver that was asked about the situation and decided to not cross that bridge was Greg Biffle. Biffle is currently in possession of the final spot in the chase with a 26 point advantage over Kyle Larson. Should Stewart win this weekend and Biffle isn’t able to pass the 15th place driver in points, then Biffle would be bumped out of the chase. When Biffle was asked about how he felt about NASCAR’s ruling he didn’t have much to say.

"I don’t really have a comment on NASCAR’s decision."

In the case of Biffle body language spoke louder than his words which is fine because I am sure that nobody struggling to make the chase would want an added obstacle put in their way via and exception to the rules. The other driver that wasn’t afraid to mince words about NASCAR’s ruling was Brad Keselowski. Keselowski essentially called NASCAR out and pretty much accused them of being shady.

"The only real feeling I have is that there should be more information available than what there is. I think everyone is kind of getting the shaft on that one and that’s not necessarily Tony’s fault or anyone’s fault, it’s just I feel like everyone is trying to have an opinion without having any information and that’s a scary place to be."

Ultimately NASCAR’s ruling means nothing unless Stewart wins a race. If Stewart were to win a race then one could argue that his previous performance in the previous 21 races allowed for him to be in the top-30 in points and as a result should be included in the chase. But again, none of this even matters unless Stewart finds a way to win one of the next two races before the start of the chase.

Do you think that NASCAR should have granted Stewart a waiver to make him eligible for the chase? Be sure to vote above and then sound-off below and let us know what you think. Also, don’t forget to follow our live coverage of tomorrow nights Oral-B 500 from Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Christopher Olmstead is the Editor of BeyondTheFlag.com on the FanSided Network. Follow us on Twitter @Beyond_The_Flag and “Like” us on Facebook.