NASCAR Issues Major Penalty to Chris Buescher’s No. 17 Team After Kansas Race

NASCAR has issued a significant L2-level penalty to RFK Racing’s No. 17 team, driven by Chris Buescher, following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway on May 11, 2025. The infraction was discovered during a post-race inspection at the NASCAR R&D Center.

Violation Details

According to NASCAR’s penalty report, the No. 17 Ford Mustang was found in violation of:

Section 14.1.C&D – Overall assembled vehicle rules

Section 14.5.6.2.F – Single-source part violation: front bumper cover

The bumper cover on Buescher’s car was determined to be unapproved and modified, an infraction NASCAR has strictly enforced since the introduction of the Next Gen car. The use of standardized, single-source parts is a cornerstone of the current rulebook, and any unauthorized alterations are met with harsh consequences.

Penalties Imposed

NASCAR handed down the following penalties to the No. 17 team:

$75,000 fine for crew chief Scott Graves

Two race suspension for Graves

60 point deduction in the driver standings for Chris Buescher

As of this posting, NASCAR has not confirmed whether the penalty also includes a deduction in owner points, which is commonly applied in cases of this nature. Neither RFK Racing nor NASCAR has released a statement or indicated plans to appeal.

Impact on Buescher’s Season

The 60 point penalty is a major setback for Buescher, who finished fourth in the AdventHealth 400 and was building momentum in the championship standings. This drop in points could severely affect his playoff hopes unless he secures a win in the upcoming races.

The suspension of crew chief Scott Graves adds another layer of difficulty, as the team must now rely on a substitute atop the pit box for the next two events.

Background on L2 Violations

NASCAR introduced the tiered penalty system with the Next Gen car in 2022, classifying rule violations based on severity. L2-level infractions typically involve the modification of critical, standardized components such as body parts or internal systems.

RFK Racing has encountered similar trouble before. In 2022, Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 team was penalized for unauthorized modifications to the rear fascia, resulting in a major fine, suspension, and loss of points.

What’s Next

RFK Racing may choose to appeal the penalty, although no such action has been announced. If the penalties stand, the team will need to quickly regroup with an interim crew chief and focus on performance in the critical stretch ahead.