Chris Buescher’s playoff hopes have taken a major hit following a $75,000 fine and steep penalties issued to his #17 RFK Racing team by NASCAR. The punishment came after a post-race inspection at the R&D Center in Concord, North Carolina, where Buescher’s car was found in violation of rules governing the front bumper cover on the Next Gen vehicle. This setback arrived shortly after the Kansas race weekend, casting a shadow over Buescher’s chances in the chase for the championship.
The inspection process included a random selection of Buescher’s #17 Ford and Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet. While Hocevar’s car passed without issue, Buescher’s team was cited for exceeding the maximum allowed reinforcement behind the front bumper foam, breaking Section 14.1.C Overall Assembled Vehicle and Rule 14.5.4.G. As a result, the team was docked 60 driver and owner points, lost five playoff points, and saw crew chief Scott Graves suspended for the next two races, including the high-profile All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600. The penalty disrupts the team’s momentum and adds pressure during a critical stretch of the NASCAR season.
This development compounds RFK Racing’s recent struggles, following teammate Ryan Preece’s disqualification at Talladega Superspeedway that stripped away a valuable second-place finish. With Brad Keselowski grappling with performance issues and penalties hitting multiple entries, fans and insiders alike expressed frustration on social media. One X user summarized the mood among RFK supporters, commenting,
“They just can’t catch a break.”
Another shared a selfie of Chris Buescher looking visibly disappointed, capturing the tense atmosphere surrounding the team.
The penalty caused Buescher to drop sharply in the standings, falling from 12th to 24th place, putting him 27 points below the playoff cutline. Meanwhile, teammate Ryan Preece holds the final playoff spot, sitting seven points clear. RFK Racing acknowledged the sanction in a statement, confirming its evaluation of the situation and possible appeal. The organization, co-owned by NASCAR champion Brad Keselowski, made clear that it intends to pursue every option to protect its team’s interests.
Despite Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece both finishing inside the top 10 at Kansas, this penalty complicates RFK Racing’s postseason outlook and deepens uncertainty. As the season progresses, this incident could prove pivotal, affecting not only Buescher’s playoff chances but also the team’s morale and strategy moving forward. The racing community is watching closely to see if the team can rebound or if this penalty might derail their championship ambitions.
