RFK Racing has announced plans to appeal the penalties imposed on its No. 17 car, driven by Chris Buescher, after the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway. The sanctions include a two-race suspension for crew chief Scott Graves, a $75,000 fine, and a substantial deduction of championship and Playoff points. The penalties stem from alleged vehicle infractions uncovered during NASCAR’s post-race inspection process.
Details Behind the Issued Penalties and Rule Violations
On May 15, 2025, NASCAR levied an L1 penalty against the RFK Racing team citing violations of the 2025 NASCAR Rule Book. Specifically, sections 14.1.C (Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules), 14.5.4.G (Front Bumper Cover), and 14.1.2.B (Engineering Change Log / Exhaust Cover Panel Communiqué #6) were cited. The infractions relate primarily to modifications around the front bumper cover and exhaust panel.
The inspection revealed that the reinforcement on the front bumper cover exceeded the permitted bonding area behind the bumper foam. NASCAR Cup Series managing director Brad Moran explained that the team went beyond the allowed two-inch limit for bonded non-metallic materials on the inner face of the front fascia.
“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.”
— Brad Moran, NASCAR Managing Director
Appeals Panel Review and Outcome on Penalty Adjustments
The National Motorsports Appeals Panel convened to review the appeal against the L1 penalty, focusing on the evidence regarding the reinforcement and exhaust panel trimming. The panel consisted of Tom DeLoach, Cary Tharrington, and Kevin Whitaker. After testimony, they upheld the two-race suspension for crew chief Scott Graves but adjusted the points deduction.
The panel determined NASCAR met the burden of proof regarding the front bumper reinforcement but found the description in the rule book for trimming the exhaust panel cover insufficiently clear. Due to this ambiguity, the penalties related to points were reduced from a deduction of 60 points to 30 points for both owner and driver.
“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.”
— National Motorsports Appeals Panel
RFK Racing’s Decision to Further Contest the Ruling
Following the panel’s decision, RFK Racing has elected to continue their appeal to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer, as permitted by the NASCAR Rule Book. The team has not requested a deferral for the suspension of Scott Graves, indicating he will miss multiple upcoming races, including the Coca-Cola 600, after already sitting out the All-Star Race.
In a statement, RFK Racing expressed their position regarding the penalties:
“After a thorough review of the penalties issued to the No. 17 Ford Mustang, RFK Racing has decided to appeal NASCAR’s decision,”
and
“We respect NASCAR’s commitment to fair competition and appreciate the opportunity to engage in the appeals process.”
Implications of the NASCAR Penalty Appeal for RFK Racing and Upcoming Events
This dispute adds tension to the NASCAR Cup Series season as RFK Racing seeks to defend its competitive standing amid significant setbacks. The loss of points and the suspension of a key crew chief like Scott Graves could influence the team’s playoff prospects and performance in critical upcoming events such as the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The appeals process will continue as the Final Appeals Officer reviews the case, and NASCAR’s disciplinary actions remain a vivid reminder of the strict regulatory environment teams navigate. For Chris Buescher and RFK Racing, the outcome of this appeal could affect their trajectory in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship battle.