RFK Racing 'weighing our options' regarding potential appeal of massive penalty against Chris Buescher

RFK Racing is “weighing our options regarding a potential appeal” after NASCAR assessed an L1-level penalty to the No. 17 team and Chris Buescher on Thursday coming out of this past Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway. Buescher’s car was sent to the R&D Center in Concord, N.C., and NASCAR discovered that his team went over the maximum reinforcement allowed for its front bumper covers.

The No. 17 team and Buescher were each docked 60 championship points and five playoff points. Additionally, the team was fined $75,000. Crew chief Scott Graves, who was suspended for the next two races through next Sunday’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, will begin serving his suspension immediately, RFK said Friday in a statement. Doug Randolph will sit atop the pit box for this Sunday’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Randolph serves as RFK’s partnership and performance director.

Update from RFK Racing: pic.twitter.com/XjoSMvmRZb

— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) May 16, 2025

Buescher finished eighth at Kansas, his sixth top-10 of the season. Prior to the penalty, he was 12th in the points standings. He’s since dropped to 24th. That potentially puts him in must-win territory over the next 14 races to qualify for the playoffs.

RFK Racing issues statement after Chris Buescher NASCAR penalty

“RFK Racing acknowledges the penalties assessed by NASCAR to the No. 17 Ford Mustang following this past weekend’s race in Kansas,” RFK wrote in a statement on Thursday. “We remain committed to full compliance with NASCAR’s rules. At this time, we are carefully reviewing the details of the situation to determine if we will file an appeal within the timeframe allotted.”

Buescher, who narrowly missed the postseason last year, had quietly been stringing together a solid start to 2025. His six top-10 finishes are tied Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott for fifth in the Cup Series. Buescher’s 15.5 average finish is ninth best.

Together, RFK and Buescher will decide on if they want to file an appeal. Earlier this season, Chase Briscoe was docked 100 points. He won his appeal in what essentially saved his season. That initial penalty came after the R&D Center found violations relating to his spoiler.

If they appeal, RFK and Buescher will be hoping for a similar outcome. Until then, the focus is on the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro. By virtue of his win last season at Watkins Glen International, Buescher is locked into the field for the 250-lap, $1 million race.