NASCAR Issues Heavy Penalty to Chris Buescher and RFK Racing Team
In a shocking turn of events at Kansas Speedway, NASCAR has come down hard on Chris Buescher and the RFK Racing team following a bumper violation. Despite finishing eighth in the race, Buescher’s No. 17 Ford Mustang was found to be in violation of specific rules regarding the front bumper cover.
The violation, as detailed in Sections 14.1.C and 14.5.4.G of the rulebook, pertains to the reinforcement of bumpers beyond the allowable limits. Motorsport.com contributor Bozi Tatarevic highlighted that the team may have exceeded the permitted 2-inch border around the foam inside the bumper, leading to severe consequences.
As a result of the infraction, the No. 17 team has been hit with a staggering $75,000 fine, and crew chief Scott Graves has been handed a two-race suspension. This means that Buescher will be without Graves for the upcoming All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro and the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The penalties did not stop there, as Buescher himself bore the brunt of NASCAR’s sanctions. He has been docked 60 driver and owner points, along with five vital playoff points. Despite holding a decent position in the playoff standings, sitting 12th before the penalty, the latest development has plummeted him to a disappointing 24th place.
The points deduction has also left Buescher in a precarious position, now trailing by 27 points below the cutoff line. With no playoff points to his name this season, the driver finds himself in negative territory, desperately needing a turnaround to salvage his championship hopes.