NASCAR: Buescher, RFK Racing penalized after Kansas race

The National Motorsports Appeals Panel today heard and considered an appeal of an L1 penalty issued on May 15, 2025 to driver Chris Buescher, owner RFK Racing and crew chief Scott Graves in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The penalty concerns the following sections of the 2025 NASCAR Rule Book: Section 14.1.C Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules and 14.5.4.G Front Bumper Cover and 14.1.2.B Engineering Change Log / Exhaust Cover Panel Communiqué #6. The penalties issued were a two-race suspension to Graves, a $75,000 fine to the team and the loss of 60 championship points and five Playoff points to the driver and owner.

Upon hearing the testimony, the decisions of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel are:

That the Appellant violated one or more, but not all, of the Rule(s) set forth in the Penalty Notice.
1. The team violated 14.5.4 – Front Bumper Cover
2. The team did not violate 14.1.2 – Exhaust Cover Panel
That the Panel amends the original Penalty assessed by NASCAR to read:
1. A loss of 30 championship driver and team owner points
2. A loss of 5 driver and team owner Playoff points
3. Two-race suspension for the crew chief
4. $75,000 fine for team

In reaching the above decision, the panel provided the following explanation: “The panel concluded that NASCAR met its burden of proof regarding the reinforcement of the front bumper cover but did not meet it regarding the trimming of the exhaust panel cover. The rule book regarding the exhaust panel trimming lacked specificity on the amount trimmed or not trimmed. Accordingly, the Panel reduced the owner and driver points penalty from 60 to 30 points.”

The Appeals Panel members for this hearing:

Mr. Tom DeLoach
Mr. Cary Tharrington
Mr. Kevin Whitaker

The Appellant has the right to appeal the decision of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer in accordance with the NASCAR Rule Book.

May 15, 2025

Chris Buescher’s team has been penalized following the NASCAR race weekend at Kansas Speedway.

The team was given an L1 penalty for a violation on the front bumper cover:

Sections
14.1.C: Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules – “Vehicles must comply with Section 14 Vehicle and Driver Safety Specifications of the NASCAR Rule Book at all times during an Event. Failure to comply will be subject to Penalty pursuant to Section 10 Violations and Disciplinary Action.”
14.5.4.G: Front Bumper Cover – “The front fascia may be strengthened on the inner surface with bonded on non-metallic materials in the area contacting the bumper foam and up to 2 inches further in all directions.”

The team has been fined $75,000 and assessed with the loss of 60 owner points, 60 driver points and 5 NASCAR Playoff driver and owner points. Crew chief (Scott Graves) has been suspended from the next two NASCAR Cup Series events, through Charlotte Motor Speedway.

AND: NASCAR Cup Series managing director Brad Moran joined the “Hauler Talk” podcast to explain why Chris Buescher’s team was given an L1 penalty after finishing eighth at Kansas Speedway.

The rule violations were found when Buescher’s No. 17 Ford was inspected at the NASCAR R&D Center this week. Moran said the maximum 2 inches of reinforcement behind the front bumper foam had been exceeded.

“Unfortunately, the No. 17 did not meet the rule and had a larger area than what is permitted to be bonded into the nose piece,” Moran said. “They can work in that area, but they went too far would be the simplest terms of putting it.” NASCAR.com