HomeNASCAR NewsNASCAR Drivers NewsBrad Keselowski struggles worsen with NASCAR penalty as major points, money, and...

Brad Keselowski struggles worsen with NASCAR penalty as major points, money, and crew chief lost

Brad Keselowski, enduring a challenging 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign, has now suffered a major setback as NASCAR imposed an L1 penalty on his RFK Racing team this week. Announced on Thursday, the penalty follows violations of the Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules and the Front Bumper Cover, affecting both points and personnel. The decision drops Keselowski even further in the standings, stripping away critical owner and driver points, a hefty fine, and the suspension of his crew chief, deepening the unease surrounding his already-turbulent season.

The early stretch of 2025 has proven harsh for Brad Keselowski. Through the first dozen races, the 2012 Cup Series champion has managed only four finishes inside the top 20, failing to record a single top-10 result, and suffering nine finishes of 26th or worse. While his aspirations remain high, each week seems to intensify his frustration and agitation, as momentum continues to slip from his grasp.

In contrast, Keselowski’s teammate Chris Buescher has shown flashes of competitiveness. Buescher, piloting the No. 17 car, secured six top-10 finishes including a top-five at Phoenix, though even he has experienced disappointments with several results outside the top 24. Both drivers had higher hopes after their performances last season.

All optimism was sharply undercut when NASCAR announced the recent penalty, which included a $75,000 fine, the deduction of 60 owner points, 60 driver points, and five playoff driver and owner points, along with the suspension of crew chief Scott Graves for two races. The team cited violations of Sections 14.1.C and 14.5.4.G as causes for these severe penalties. As a result, Buescher tumbled from 14th to 24th in the Cup Series point standings, moving well below the playoff cutline, an unsettling drop within just a day.

While the suspension of Graves is slightly mitigated by one missed event being the non-points All-Star Race, the real cost lies in the lost points and momentum. For Brad Keselowski, who is not only a driver but a co-owner at RFK Racing, the relentless cascade of setbacks is hard to overlook. With frustration building and the pressure mounting, many are left asking when or if Keselowski’s season will turn around, as the path to recovery grows more unclear with every penalty and poor performance.

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