RFK still undecided on appeal of Kansas penalty

RFK Racing is still considering whether it will appeal the L1 penalty handed to Chris Buescher’s team earlier this week.

“We continue to evaluate the penalties assessed to the No. 17 Ford Mustang, we are also weighing our options regarding a potential appeal,” the team posted Friday. “In the meantime, we have made the decision for crew chief Scott Graves to begin serving his suspension immediately. This approach helps us minimize further disruption to the team’s operations. Doug Randolph will step in as crew chief for this weekend’s All-Star activities at North Wilkesboro.”

The deadline to file an appeal is Monday at 5pm ET.

Graves (pictured above) was suspended for the next two NASCAR Cup Series races after the team was penalized for a front bumper cover infraction. Buescher’s car was taken for teardown inspection at the NASCAR R&D Center after last weekend’s race at Kansas Speedway. NASCAR found the team had gone over the allowed bonded area with the front bumper reinforcement.

In addition to the suspension, the team was docked 60 driver and owner points, as well as five playoff points. Buescher dropped from 12th to 24th in the Cup Series championship standings, which puts him outside of a potential postseason berth. The team was also fined $75,000.

Sunday’s All-Star Race is a non-point event. Then the series moves to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race of the season that begins a busy summer stretch toward the postseason.

Graves would miss one points-paying race if RFK Racing does not appeal or chooses to have him serve out the suspension as the process plays out. The schedule after Charlotte includes events at Nashville Superspeedway, Michigan International Speedway, and the inaugural event in Mexico City.