Ryan Preece has moved into a coveted playoff position following a dramatic penalty assessed to Chris Buescher that shook up the NASCAR Cup Series standings this week. The shift came after Buescher’s eighth-place finish at Kansas, when NASCAR officials discovered a major rules violation during a post-race inspection, leading to a severe 60-point penalty. As a result, Buescher fell well below the playoff cut line, and Preece, his RFK Racing teammate, was catapulted above the bubble, now sitting seven points clear in the provisional 16-driver playoff field.
The sanctions levied against Buescher were swift and heavy: in addition to losing 60 driver and owner points and five playoff points, Buescher was fined $75,000. This sudden development dropped Buescher to 24th in the standings, leaving the door open for Ryan Preece, who now sits in 15th place with 251 points. For Preece and his team, this reshuffling not only alters the playoff dynamic but brings renewed urgency and opportunity in a season marked by mixed results.
Veteran motorsports reporter Colin Ward broke the news on X, emphasizing the impact of the ruling. NASCAR’s official penalty report revealed that Buescher’s No. 17 team violated regulations by extending bonded reinforcements beyond permitted areas behind the front bumper foam. This breach classified as an L1 penalty—a middle tier in NASCAR’s hierarchy of infractions—highlighted the competitive pressures and fine technical margins that define the series.
Ryan Preece’s journey this season has not been without its challenges. After a steady seventh-place finish at Kansas, he found himself just inside playoff contention, a stark contrast to the struggles earlier in the year. For RFK Racing, the penalty to Buescher came as a blow, but also offered an unexpected means for Preece to advance, providing a glimmer of hope amid adversity.
RFK Racing said in an official statement.
The ripple effect extended through the team, as RFK replaced suspended crew chief Scott Graves with Doug Randolph for two races, underscoring the broader consequences of NASCAR’s strict technical enforcement. The penalty itself was linked to a rule against unauthorized modifications to the car’s front-end structure, with NASCAR citing a violation of Sections 14.1.C and 14.5.4.G on assembly and reinforcements. Brad Moran, NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director, clarified on The Hauler podcast that while reinforcement is allowed behind the foam due to the area’s vulnerability, RFK exceeded the prescribed limits, which led to the sanction.
NASCAR’s post-race inspection process involves randomly selecting cars for teardown at the R&D Center. After the AdventHealth 400, both Buescher’s and Carson Hocevar’s cars were chosen; while Hocevar’s entry cleared inspection, Buescher’s did not, setting off a chain reaction across the standings. The team has until Monday at 5 p.m. ET to appeal the ruling, and many throughout the garage are closely watching RFK’s next steps. Randolph, who brings experience as an engineer, will guide the team through the All-Star Race weekend and the Coca-Cola 600 as interim crew chief.
For Ryan Preece, the development changes the narrative for his season, offering a rare chance to secure a spot in the playoffs as long as he maintains consistency in the coming races. Still searching for his first Cup Series victory, Preece will take to the North Wilkesboro All-Star Open race with added motivation, hoping to transform this playoff opportunity into tangible success on track.
a source familiar with the team’s mindset commented.
Buescher, despite the setback, retains eligibility for the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race thanks to his earlier win at Watkins Glen, and his recent performances suggest he remains a contender should the team rebound from the penalty. In the broader context, this playoff shake-up highlights how a single enforcement action can dramatically alter the championship landscape, sparking urgency for drivers like Ryan Preece and putting playoff aspirations in sharp focus as the regular season unfolds.
As NASCAR continues its rigorous approach to rules compliance, every technical infraction carries the possibility of significant competitive consequences. For Ryan Preece, the current playoff boost is both a vindication of his perseverance and a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in the sport. NASCAR fans will be watching closely as the implications of this penalty reverberate through the paddock, fueling anticipation for the critical races ahead.
