NASCAR Hits RFK Racing and Chris Buescher With Major Penalty Over Bumper Violation

NASCAR announced severe penalties against Chris Buescher and his RFK Racing team for a violation involving the front bumper cover of his car. The team was docked 60 driver and owner points, as well as five playoff points each. Crew chief Scott Graves was suspended for two races—the upcoming All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte—and the team was fined $75,000 for an L1 level infraction.

RFK Racing Commits To Compliance As Buescher Drops In Playoff Standings

RFK Racing released a statement affirming their commitment to full compliance with NASCAR rules and mentioned they were reviewing the situation to decide on filing an appeal within the allowed timeframe. Doug Randolph has been named as the interim crew chief for the All-Star Race to replace the suspended Graves, as per the official crew roster submitted to NASCAR.

Before the penalty, Buescher was 12th in the driver standings and held a playoff spot following an eighth-place finish at Kansas Speedway. The penalty dropped him to 24th in the standings, placing him 27 points behind the final playoff spot with 14 races remaining in the regular season. Consequently, his teammate Ryan Preece has moved up into the last playoff position.

NASCAR Penalizes Team For Exceeding Allowed Front Bumper Reinforcement And Safety Violations

NASCAR cited the team for violating Section 14.5.4.G, which limits how much reinforcement can be added to the car’s front fascia. The team bonded a larger area than permitted, strengthening the inner surface of the bumper cover beyond the allowed 2-inch boundary. Brad Moran, Cup Series managing director, explained the violation involved exceeding the allowed bonded area on the nosepiece, which NASCAR allows but only within specific limits.

The violation also involved non-compliance with Section 14 regarding vehicle and driver safety specifications, which mandates strict adherence during events. Buescher’s car was one of two vehicles inspected at NASCAR’s Research & Development Center following the Kansas race. No other teams or cars were penalized on this occasion.