Kyle Larson secured his first victory at the iconic Indianapolis track, marking a significant milestone in his career. However, what should have been a moment of celebration quickly turned controversial due to several contentious decisions by NASCAR throughout the race. These decisions drew widespread criticism from various teams, particularly from the reigning champion, Ryan Blaney.
Many observers felt that there was an unwarranted closeness between NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports, something that did not sit well with fans and competitors alike. The expectation in the sport is for impartiality, and any hint of favoritism can tarnish its reputation. Ryan Blaney was vocal in his criticism of NASCAR, but Larson’s crew chief, Cliff Daniels, was quick to dismiss these allegations, arguing that Blaney’s claims were unfounded.
The Brickyard 400 made a highly anticipated return after a three-year hiatus, and there was considerable excitement surrounding the event. However, this excitement soon turned to disappointment and anger as NASCAR’s rulings during the race sparked intense debate. What should have been a thrilling comeback for the Brickyard 400 was overshadowed by controversy. Ryan Blaney was in a strong position to win the race, but NASCAR’s decisions undermined his chances and cleared the path for Kyle Larson to take the podium.
The controversy began when Brad Keselowski ran out of fuel near the end of the race. Typically, such an incident would prompt a re-alignment of the cars, but NASCAR did not call for one. This decision allowed Kyle Larson to gain an advantageous position, much to the dismay of Ryan Blaney and his team. Blaney was particularly incensed by this ruling, feeling that it unfairly favored Larson. The absence of a re-rack after Keselowski’s exit erased the advantage Blaney had as the control car, leading many to suspect favoritism on NASCAR’s part. However, Cliff Daniels, Larson’s crew chief, dismissed these accusations during a press briefing, stating, “I understand it being highlighted because of this race and the situation. But there have been many times in Cup races where we’ve seen similar rulings from 5th, 10th, or 20th place. It’s no different; everybody knows that’s the rule.”
NASCAR’s controversial decisions did not end there. Throughout the race, they made multiple rulings that many viewed as biased. Brad Keselowski, a seasoned veteran of the sport, was quick to spot these inconsistencies and did not hesitate to call out the governing body. Kyle Larson’s victory at Indianapolis seemed almost predestined. After missing out on a win in May during his attempt at the “double,” he returned to the Brickyard 400 with the same colors on his car and claimed victory. To many fans, this outcome appeared orchestrated, and they were quick to voice their suspicions online. While Keselowski did not explicitly accuse NASCAR of rigging the race, he did highlight another questionable ruling.
On the final laps of the race, after Brad Keselowski pitted, the race continued without interruption, and Kyle Larson took the lead. Then, on the last lap, Ryan Preece crashed and was unable to restart his car, leaving it stationary on the track. Normally, this situation would call for an immediate caution, but NASCAR delayed the caution flag until Kyle Larson had crossed the finish line. Keselowski pointed out this inconsistency, saying on social media, “Hahahaha that’s a caution any other week.” The delayed response seemed suspiciously convenient to many observers.
This sequence of events led to widespread speculation that NASCAR had paved the way for Larson’s victory. Larson has often been perceived as NASCAR’s “golden child,” and this race only reinforced that perception. Fans recalled previous instances where Larson appeared to receive favorable treatment from the governing body, and this race added fuel to those suspicions. The memory of Larson’s earlier “double” attempt and the perceived leniency he received were still fresh in fans’ minds. As a result, fans did not hold back in their criticism, comparing NASCAR’s decisions to the scripted outcomes of professional wrestling. In the comments on Keselowski’s post, fans expressed their frustration and disappointment, suggesting that NASCAR’s ever-changing rules undermined the integrity of the sport.
