RFK Racing Sees Penalty Reduced After Successful Appeal
In a recent decision by the National Motorsports Appeals Panel, RFK Racing has experienced a partial victory in their appeal against an L1 penalty issued following the NASCAR Cup Series event at Kansas Speedway on May 11, 2025. Initially, the team faced significant penalties for two violations found on Chris Buescher's No. 17 car, including a $75,000 fine, a loss of 60 owner and driver points, as well as five NASCAR Playoff points. Additionally, crew chief Scott Graves was suspended for two races. After careful review, the appeals panel modified the original penalties, reducing them to reflect only one violation while maintaining the monetary fine.
The controversy arose when inspectors at the NASCAR R&D Center identified potential breaches of specific rules post-race. One issue involved the front bumper cover, which must adhere strictly to reinforcement guidelines using non-metallic materials within designated areas. The second concern related to modifications made to the exhaust cover panel. However, during the appeal hearing, it became evident that the rulebook lacked clarity regarding the precise amount of trimming allowed on the exhaust panel cover.
As a result of the appeal proceedings, the panel determined that while the team had indeed violated the regulation concerning the front bumper cover, they did not breach the exhaust cover panel rule due to insufficient specificity in the rulebook. Consequently, the penalties were adjusted accordingly. Instead of losing 60 championship points, RFK Racing will forfeit 30 points each for the driver and team owner. Similarly, the playoff point deduction remains at five, but the suspension for Scott Graves and the financial penalty stay unchanged.
Members of the Appeals Panel included esteemed figures such as Mr. Tom DeLoach, Mr. Cary Tharrington, and Mr. Kevin Whitaker, who collectively evaluated all evidence presented before rendering their verdict. Following the announcement, RFK Racing expressed gratitude for the chance to present their case and reiterated their commitment to adhering fully to NASCAR regulations moving forward.
With this matter resolved, the team can now concentrate on their upcoming competition in Nashville, aiming to secure another victory. Their determination and focus remain undeterred despite the challenges encountered earlier.