RFK Racing Catches Break From Appeals Panel, Still Facing Major Penalties

What’s Happening?

The National Motorsports Appeals Panel has ruled on RFK Racing’s May 19 appeal of the May 15 penalty, which penalized Chris Buescher’s No. 17 team for an unapproved modification to the front bumper cover.

• Today, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel claimed that the team violated Rule 14.5.4.G but not Rule 14.1.2 B, amending but upholding the penalties. Graves is still suspended, and the team will still face the same monetary fine, but a modified non-playoff points penalty.
• Rather than 60 points, the penalty has been dropped to 30 driver and team owner points. Initially, the 60-point penalty dropped Buescher from 12th to 24th in points. Now, the No. 17 will jump from 23rd up to 16th, back in the Playoff picture.
• A statement from the NMAP said, “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.”
• The initial penalty, a violation of NASCAR Rules 14.1.C, 14.5.4.G, and 14.1.2.B, saw Buescher and RFK Racing penalized 60 points, five owner-driver playoff points, and a $75,000 fine. Furthermore, NASCAR suspended RFK Racing Crew Chief Scott Graves for two races.

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