Chris Buescher was penalized 60 points after NASCAR officials found that his car was incorrectly assembled following a race in Kansas on Sunday. His vehicle was sent back to the NASCAR R&D center, where it was discovered that the front bumper cover had more reinforcement than permitted.
Buescher finished 8th in the Kansas race and was 12th in the overall standings, but the penalty dropped him to 28th place, putting him 226 points behind leader William Byron. Along with the points deduction, Buescher’s team was fined $75,000, and crew chief Scott Graves received a two-race suspension.
With several drivers moving ahead in the rankings, Buescher might now face a difficult challenge to qualify for the playoffs during the remaining 14 races of the regular season. This year, Buescher has achieved five top-five and six top-ten finishes, adding to his five wins over the past three seasons. After his 2022 win, he claimed three victories in five races in 2023, with his only 2024 win coming at Watkins Glen, despite missing the playoffs.
The penalty highlights a tough season for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, as Buescher has been their strongest competitor. Two other drivers from the team are currently outside the top 20 in points.
Ryan Preece is 18th in the rankings and could have been higher if not for his disqualification after Talladega due to a failed inspection. Although Preece finished second in that race, he dropped to 38th because of a spoiler violation. Team co-owner Brad Keselowski sits 32nd in the standings, 53 points behind Buescher, and has yet to earn a top-10 finish this season, ranking below full-time drivers like Riley Herbst, Cole Custer, Shane Van Gisbergen, and Cody Ware.
Fan Take: This penalty is a significant blow to Buescher’s playoff hopes and underscores how strict NASCAR is about adherence to technical rules. For fans, it’s a reminder that even small violations can drastically change the competitive landscape, adding drama and unpredictability to the sport’s playoff race.
