The National Motorsports Appeals Panel met on May 28 and amended the L1 penalty NASCAR levied on the RFK Racing number 17 car driven by Chris Buescher.
After the race at Kansas Speedway on May 15, NASCAR ruled after a thorough inspection that the 17 car violated Sections 14.5.4 (front bumper cover) and 14.1.2 (exhaust cover panel) of the NASCAR rule book. As a result NASCAR levied a 60 point driver and owner deduction, a two race suspension for the car’s crew chief, five playoff points, and a $75,000 fine.
In a unanimous ruling the Appeals Panel stated that RFK Racing did violate Section 14.5.4 but did not violate Section 14.1.2 and amended the penalty to reflect the ruling.
The 60 point standings deduction has been reduced to 30 points but the remainder of the penalty stands.
In making their ruling, 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. Accordingly, the panel reduced the owner and driver points penalty from 60 to 30 points.”
As a result of the points change, Chris Buescher is now in 16th place in the points standings – the last position before the “cut line”; six points behind teammate Ryan Preece.
The number 16 team’s crew chief Scott Graves has already served his two race suspension.
In a statement, RFK Racing said, “we appreciate the opportunity to present our case to the National Motorsports Appeals Panel today and are pleased that the panel overturned one of the two assessed penalties. Our goal is to always comply fully with the letter of the NASCAR Rule Book, and our focus is now looking forward to competing for a win in Nashville this weekend.”