Decision of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel – Chris Buescher – Speedway Digest

The National Motorsports Appeals Panel today heard and considered an appeal of an L1 penalty issued on May 15, 2025 to driver Chris Buescher, owner RFK Racing and crew chief Scott Graves in the NASCAR Cup Series. 

The penalty concerns the following sections of the 2025 NASCAR Rule Book: Section 14.1.C Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules and 14.5.4.G Front Bumper Cover and 14.1.2.B Engineering Change Log / Exhaust Cover Panel Communiqué #6. The penalties issued were a two-race suspension to Graves, a $75,000 fine to the team and the loss of 60 championship points and five Playoff points to the driver and owner.

Upon hearing the testimony, the decisions of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel are:

1.                  That the Appellant violated one or more, but not all, of the Rule(s) set forth in the Penalty Notice.

                                                  i.    The team violated 14.5.4 – Front Bumper Cover

                                                 ii.    The team did not violate 14.1.2 – Exhaust Cover Panel

2.                  That the Panel amends the original Penalty assessed by NASCAR to read:

                                                  i.    A loss of 30 championship driver and team owner points

                                                 ii.    A loss of 5 driver and team owner Playoff points

                                                iii.    Two-race suspension for the crew chief

                                                iv.    $75,000 fine for team

In reaching the above decision, the panel provided the following explanation: “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.”

The Appeals Panel members for this hearing:

• Mr. Tom DeLoach
• Mr. Cary Tharrington
• Mr. Kevin Whitaker

The Appellant has the right to appeal the decision of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer in accordance with the NASCAR Rule Book.

NASCAR PR