RFK Racing Reveals Penalty Appeal Decision After Severe Buescher Punishment
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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RFK Racing has revealed that it will appeal the penalties levied against Chris Buescher and the No. 17 Ford team ahead of the race weekend in North Wilkesboro.
The 32-year-old driver was docked 60 championship points and 5 playoff points for a front bumper violation in Kansas. On top of this, the No. 17 Ford team also lost 60 championship points, five playoff points, and were fined $75,000. Bueschers's crew chief Scott Graves was also handed a two-race suspension.
The team has now confirmed that it will appeal the penalties. It revealed it in a statement:
"After a thorough review of the penalties issued to the No. 17 Ford Mustang, RFK Racing has decided to appeal NASCAR's decision.
Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Kroger/Kleenex Ford, wiats backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 11, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas.
Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Kroger/Kleenex Ford, wiats backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 11, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas."We respect NASCAR's commitment to fair competition and appreciate the opportunity to engage in the appeals process."
NASCAR confirmed that the time of the penalties, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports:
"During inspection this week at the R&D Center in Concord, North Carolina, series officials discovered that the No. 17 Ford was in violation of Sections 14.1.C (overall assembled vehicle rules) and 14.5.4.G (front bumper cover) of the NASCAR Rule Book. The team went over the maximum reinforcement allowed for its front bumper covers.
"As a result, the team and driver Chris Buescher were each assessed with the loss of 60 championship points and five playoff points, and the team was fined $75,000. Additionally, crew chief Scott Graves has been suspended for the next two races through Charlotte."
Buescher stated to the media after receiving the penalty, ahead of the All-Star Race weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway:
"Yeah, it's already behind me right now.
"You know, we're here at the race track, we've been prepping for this race for a really long time already. Nothing's changing on our weekend. For us, we'll deal with that during the work week, but it's race weekend now.
"So yeah, with the speed we've had this year and what we've been able to do at a lot of different styles of race tracks, it's the same opportunity we felt like we had before Thursday. So yeah, I'm ready to go for this one."
He added:
"You've got to rough people up for a million dollars, I guarantee it, and that's the way it should be.
"It's supposed to be good, hard racing here. We've had some great racing through the years here, well before we came back, and we're trying to be a part of more coming back to this historic raceway here."
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