SHOCK PENALTY: NASCAR Hits Chris Buescher and RFK Racing With Major Sanctions After Kansas Inspection Failure

NASCAR has delivered a heavy blow to Chris Buescher and RFK Racing following post-race inspection failures at Kansas Speedway. The organization handed down multiple penalties that could have serious implications for Buescher’s season, including a significant loss of points, a crew chief suspension, and a hefty fine.

THE PENALTIES: WHAT NASCAR HANDED DOWN

Following a detailed post-race inspection at the NASCAR R&D Center, officials determined that Buescher’s No. 17 Ford violated technical regulations related to the car’s body and underwing assembly — a serious infraction under the sport’s rulebook.

As a result, NASCAR has penalized the No. 17 team with the following:

• 60 driver and owner points docked

• Crew chief Scott Graves suspended for two races

• $75,000 fine issued to the team

These sanctions fall under a Level 2 penalty as outlined in NASCAR’s deterrence system, which is designed to maintain fairness and safety in the sport.

IMPACT ON THE STANDINGS

Before the penalty, Chris Buescher was sitting comfortably in the playoff mix. Now, with 60 points removed, his standing has taken a massive hit. The deduction could force the team to alter its strategy for the rest of the regular season, possibly needing a win to ensure playoff qualification.

For RFK Racing, the loss of Scott Graves on the pit box for the next two races — including at Darlington and Charlotte — adds another layer of challenge as the team scrambles to recover.

NASCAR’S STATEMENT: “COMPETITIVE INTEGRITY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE”

In a press release, NASCAR emphasized its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the competition.

“The inspection process is critical to ensuring all teams compete on a level playing field,” the statement read. “We take violations of these standards seriously, and today’s penalty reflects that commitment.”

The governing body declined to elaborate on the exact components that failed to meet specifications but confirmed the infraction related to Sections 14.1 and 14.5 of the NASCAR Cup Series Rule Book, which govern overall vehicle assembly and aerodynamic body requirements.

RFK RACING RESPONDS: POSSIBLE APPEAL?

RFK Racing issued a brief statement acknowledging the penalty and confirming that the team is “evaluating its options,” including a possible appeal.

“We’re disappointed in today’s ruling. Our team works hard to stay within the boundaries of the rulebook, and we will review all information thoroughly before determining our next steps,” the team said.

Historically, teams have had mixed success when appealing penalties of this magnitude, but RFK may opt to challenge the findings given the stakes involved.

A TOUGH BREAK FOR A TEAM ON THE RISE

The penalty comes at an especially unfortunate time for Chris Buescher and RFK Racing, who have been steadily improving over the past two seasons. Buescher, known for his consistency and clean racing style, now faces an uphill battle to regain his position in the standings.

With Scott Graves — a key strategist and veteran crew chief — sidelined for two weeks, RFK will have to adapt quickly to stay in contention as the regular season heats up.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The team will compete at Darlington without Graves, and any appeal process would need to be filed quickly to be heard before the next race. Whether RFK Racing can rebound from this penalty and keep their playoff hopes alive will be one of the key storylines to watch in the coming weeks.