NASCAR team partially wins appeal of L1 penalty

RFK Racing has had their penalty reduced

NASCAR raced at Kansas Speedway on May 11, 2025. RFK Racing left that race weekend with an L1 penalty for two violations handed to the No. 17 car driven by Chris Buescher in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Originally, the team was fined $75,000. They were also hit with a loss of 60 owner points, 60 driver points and 5 NASCAR Playoff driver and owner points. Crew chief Scott Graves was issued a two race suspension.

The violations were discovered at the NASCAR R&D Center after the race.

14.1.C: Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules: “Vehicles must comply with Section 14 Vehicle and Driver Safety Specifications of the NASCAR Rule Book at all times during an Event. Failure to comply will be subject to Penalty pursuant to Section 10 Violations and Disciplinary Action.”

14.5.4.G: Front Bumper Cover: “The front fascia may be strengthened on the inner surface with bonded on non-metallic materials in the area contacting the bumper foam and up to 2 inches further in all directions.”

RFK Racing elected to appeal both violations.

It’s rare that a NASCAR appeal is won. However, in this case, the team has won the appeal, partial.

On Wednesday, the appeals panel reached a ruling…

Kansas Race Results

Appeals panel ruling

The appeals panel announced the following:

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

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

— The team violated 14.5.4 – Front Bumper Cover

— The team did not violate 14.1.2 – Exhaust Cover Panel

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

— A loss of 30 championship driver and team owner points

— A loss of 5 driver and team owner Playoff points

— Two-race suspension for the crew chief

— $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

RFK Racing Statement

Following the ruling, the team issued the following statement:

“We appreciate the opportunity to present our case to the Nationals Motorsports Appeals Panel today and are pleased that the Panel overturned one of the two assessed penalties.”

“Our goal is to always comply fully with the letter of the NASCAR Rulebook, and our focus is not looking forward to competing for a win in Nashville this weekend.”

Links

Chris Buescher | Kansas Speedway | NASCAR