NASCAR has assessed only one penalty after the Truck and Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway last weekend…but it is a whopper!
RFK Racing was charged with an L1 penalty on the number 17 car driven by Chris Buescher. The 17 car was one of the cars selected randomly to be taken to the NASCAR R&D center for further inspection where it was determined that the team had violated Rule Book Sections 14.1C overall assembled vehicle rules) and 14.5.4.G (front bumper cover). Inspectors said that the team exceeded the maximum amount of two inches allowed for front bumper covers.
RFK Racing and Chris Buescher have each been docked 60 points and five playoff points. In addition, RFK has been fined $75,000 and crew chief Scott Graves has been suspended for the next two races.
Buescher will retain his eighth place finish in the Advent. Health 400 race at Kansas.
The loss of points drops Buescher from 12th to 24th in the point standings. The points deductions also drop Buescher out of the top 16 playoff spots. Prior to the penalty, Buescher was 33 points above the “cut line”; but after the points deduction, he is 27 points below the “cut line”.
RFK has stated that they will further review the details of the charged infraction before deciding whether or not to file an appeal of the penalty.
This weekend the Cup Series moves to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the annual All Star Race before going to Charlotte for the longest race of the season – the Coca-Cola 600.