NASCAR has issued an L1-level penalty to Chris Buescher’s team following post-race inspection of the No. 17 Ford at the NASCAR R&D Center, citing violations related to the front bumper cover after last weekend’s event at Kansas Speedway.
The penalty stems from infractions of Sections 14.1.C and 14.5.4.G of the NASCAR Rule Book. The specific issue involved the use of reinforcement materials that exceeded the allowable limit behind the front bumper foam.
“Unfortunately, the No. 17 did not meet the rule and had a larger area than what is permitted to be bonded into the nose piece,” said NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran on the “Hauler Talk” podcast. “They can work in that area, but they went too far would be the simplest terms of putting it.”
As a result, the team has been fined $75,000 and docked 60 owner points, 60 driver points, and 5 NASCAR Playoff points for both driver and owner. Crew chief Scott Graves has also been suspended for the next two NASCAR Cup Series races, through the event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Buescher had finished eighth in the Kansas race, but the penalty delivers a significant blow to his and the team’s position in the standings and playoff outlook.
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