In the wake of a contentious decision at Darlington, Kyle Larson has spoken out amid the ongoing NASCAR fastest lap debate, defending the current rule that awards drivers bonus points for recording the fastest lap during a race. The incident in question involved Josh Berry, who earned a bonus point despite finishing last after an early crash, raising frustrations among fans and stirring division within the NASCAR community.
The NASCAR fastest lap debate intensified after Berry, driving for Wood Brothers Racing, crashed on the second turn of the opening lap at Darlington. After clipping Tyler Reddick and hitting the outside wall, Berry spent multiple laps in the pits for repairs before returning to set the quickest lap of the race, a 29.038-second time around the 1.366-mile oval, despite missing 128 scheduled laps. This lap earned him a controversial one-point bonus, which many felt was undeserved given his position far behind the leaders.
Understanding the Arguments Behind the Bonus Point Award
Criticism has flooded NASCAR channels for awarding a fastest lap bonus point to a competitor so far off the pace, but Larson supports keeping the rule intact. He emphasized that drivers like himself have benefited from the policy after incidents on the track and sees value in the incentive it offers.
Kyle Larson doesn’t want to see any change in the rules as far as who can earn the fastest lap in the race. Granted, he has earned it a couple times after he has been involved in a wreck. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/f3A4JcMEV5
When asked about his stance, Larson said,
No, I like how it currently is,
and added,
Curious to hear, I guess, the other side of it, I really haven’t heard the other side of it, why people would want it changed.
He explained that the rule can reward drivers like Berry, who after falling behind, still have a motivation to push for a point by posting a fast lap later in the race.
Josh Berry was a wreck; it could be a pit stop, or at some point, the race has you multiple laps down, and then it just gives you an incentive to go out there and push for that one extra point you can get,
Larson said.
Kyle Larson’s Personal Experience With the Fastest Lap Rule
Larson’s defense of the rule is rooted in personal experience. Earlier this season, during NASCAR’s inaugural Cup Series event in Mexico City, Larson was involved in a multi-car wreck on lap 8 that severely damaged his car. After missing 42 laps undergoing repairs, he returned to the race and secured the fastest lap, earning a valuable bonus point despite finishing 36th.
In addition to Mexico City, Larson claimed bonus points for fastest laps at Watkins Glen, Kansas Speedway, and Circuit of the Americas (COTA), further illustrating how the rule has played a role in his season’s points total.
NASCAR’s Ongoing Review of the Fastest Lap Bonus Point System
NASCAR’s managing director of racing communications, Mike Forde, acknowledged the debate and confirmed the organization is considering significant changes to the fastest lap rule. While no adjustments are expected for the remaining races this season, NASCAR plans to revisit the regulation during the offseason to address fairness concerns raised by fans, drivers, and teams.
I think that’s some of the conversation in the offseason, nothing’s going to be changing over the next nine races, but that is something we plan to look at as we move forward into 2026,
Forde said, as reported by NASCAR.com.
Forde highlighted that the rule was initially introduced to enhance race excitement and fan engagement, but it inadvertently benefited teams near the playoff cut line, creating controversy. NASCAR’s goal is to refine the rule to maintain competitive balance and integrity.
The Broader Impact of the Fastest Lap Debate on NASCAR’s Playoff Format
The ongoing NASCAR fastest lap debate underscores the tension within the sport as the playoff format already faces criticism from fans. The controversy surrounding bonus points for fastest laps, particularly in cases like Berry’s at Darlington, adds to the sense of unease among competitors and spectators alike.
Kyle Larson’s clear support for the current system reflects a perspective grounded in experience, yet NASCAR’s commitment to reviewing the rule shows a willingness to adapt if necessary. The outcome of this review could influence how races are strategized and how points are awarded in future seasons, impacting teams’ approaches to playoff qualification and competition.
