Brad Keselowski, the Michigan-born NASCAR star, faces an uncertain path to the Daytona 500 after suffering a devastating leg injury just weeks ago. The incident and resulting Brad Keselowski Daytona 500 injury have cast doubt over his participation in the 2026 NASCAR opener, though Keselowski is determined to make a comeback and has shared details about his long road to recovery.
Details Emerge on Keselowski’s Severe Leg Injury
In late December 2025, concerns swept through the NASCAR community when images surfaced of Brad Keselowski, 41, in a hospital gown, with news soon emerging of a significant injury. Keselowski described the harrowing details of his accident, stating,
“Ultimately, I broke my femur right below my hip and basically just sheared it all the way through,”
Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver. The injury required extensive surgery and extensive rehabilitation, as he explained,
“So I got some extra parts. I’m now made of titanium in my leg. It’s a really painful thing to break. It’s the biggest bone in your body, which is kind of the bad part about it.”
Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver.
Despite the pain, Keselowski has plunged into an intense recovery regimen, reportedly devoting 8 to 12 hours daily to rehab. He aims to return to his No. 6 Ford Mustang as quickly as safely possible, but the tough nature of the injury means his timeline remains uncertain. Keselowski, who won the NASCAR Cup in 2012, is mindful not to rush and risk further complications, indicating he will accept missing The Clash preseason event if it boosts his odds of racing at Daytona.
Chasing the Elusive Daytona 500 Win
For Keselowski, the Daytona 500 remains an unclaimed prize, despite entering his 17th full-time Cup Series season in 2026. The disappointment of never winning the event continues to drive the veteran racer. Addressing his recovery prospects, Keselowski described his timetable,
“The doctors told me after the surgery that the fastest you could be back is six weeks. And normally it’s eight to 12,”
Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver. He added confidence in his surgeon’s work,
“A great doctor up in Boone, upstate that did the surgery, which was where it was at the time. And so, if you do that backwards, that puts me perfectly in line for being ready for the Daytona 500.”
Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver.
This isn’t the first time the Michigan native has dealt with serious injury. In 2011, after crashing and breaking his ankle at Road Atlanta, Keselowski defied doctors’ expectations by winning a NASCAR Cup race at Pocono the following week. Now, he hopes his resilience will serve him again as he strives to both recover and finally capture a Daytona 500 title.
RFK Racing Makes Changes for The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium
While Keselowski works to heal, RFK Racing, the team he co-owns, has announced that Corey LaJoie will substitute for him at the upcoming Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Keselowski will miss the high-profile non-points event to focus on rehab. Corey LaJoie, a driver with nearly 300 Cup Series starts and recent experience as a NASCAR analyst, will take over the No. 6 Ford Mustang for the exhibition race.
LaJoie has a storied history at Bowman Gray, notably winning the 2012 ARCA East event by leading 118 of 153 laps against rising stars like Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson, Daniel Suarez, and Chase Elliott. He appeared grateful for the opportunity and wished his competitor a quick recovery,
“Wishing BK w speedy recovery. Let’s go get another trophy at The Madhouse.”
Corey LaJoie, NASCAR driver. The event will see LaJoie returning to a track that has already delivered a memorable highlight in his racing career, offering a different kind of challenge from his last Clash appearance at the LA Memorial Colosseum.
Looking Ahead: Recovery, Team Dynamics, and the Drive to Daytona
Brad Keselowski’s Brad Keselowski Daytona 500 injury highlights the physical and emotional toll professional racing can exact on even the sport’s most accomplished drivers. NASCAR fans, having witnessed Keselowski’s comeback before, are watching closely, hoping he can once again defy the odds. Keselowski’s determination to rebuild RFK Racing after a challenging season adds an extra layer of resolve to his recovery journey. Meanwhile, with the support of skilled professionals like his Boone-based surgeon and the reliability of substitute driver Corey LaJoie, RFK Racing seeks to remain competitive in early 2026.
As Keselowski eyes the Daytona 500 and the chance to finally win NASCAR’s most iconic race, his story is closely followed not only by fans but also by fellow drivers such as Chase Elliott and Daniel Suarez, and members of the broader NASCAR community. The outcome of his recovery will shape not just his season, but could also influence the dynamic at RFK Racing and the broader Cup Series field for 2026. All eyes remain on Keselowski’s efforts during this critical rehabilitation period—and on whether the Daytona 500 will finally fall to one of its most determined pursuers.
Some of what Brad Keselowski said about the severity of the injury, the rehab and getting ready for Daytona: https://t.co/5MxrmIhI2C pic.twitter.com/ccwxKxzsIA
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 8, 2026
