Chris Buescher and the No. 17 RFK Racing team were handed a major setback Thursday as NASCAR issued stiff penalties for an infraction involving the car’s front bumper cover. The violation, classified as an L1 penalty, significantly alters the team’s playoff outlook.
As part of the sanctions, Buescher and his team were docked 60 championship points and five playoff points. Crew chief Scott Graves was suspended for two races and fined $75,000. He will miss this weekend’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway next weekend. Doug Randolph is listed as the interim crew chief for the All-Star event.
Before the penalty, Buescher was 12th in the standings following an eighth-place finish at Kansas Speedway, sitting securely within the playoff cutline. However, the point deduction drops him to 24th in the standings, placing him 27 points behind the final playoff spot. The shift also bumps his RFK Racing teammate, Ryan Preece, into that last postseason-eligible position.
NASCAR cited violations of Sections 14.5.4.G and 14.1.C of the rule book. The rules pertain to how the front fascia of the car can be reinforced and the overarching requirement that vehicles must comply with all safety and construction specifications during an event. Section 14.5.4.G allows teams to strengthen the inner surface of the nose using bonded, non-metallic material in a limited area. According to Brad Moran, managing director of the NASCAR Cup Series, RFK Racing went beyond that permitted area, using reinforcement over a larger space than allowed.
Speaking on the “Hauler Talk” podcast, Moran explained that while reinforcement in that area is legal, the team exceeded the boundaries set by NASCAR. He said the violation came down to “an area that they can work on, but they went too far.”
Buescher’s car was one of two taken to the NASCAR R&D Center after the Kansas event, but no other penalties were issued following the inspection. RFK Racing has not yet confirmed whether it will appeal the ruling but stated it is reviewing the matter and remains committed to following NASCAR’s rules.