Brad Keselowski, who is recovering from a right femur injury sustained during the NASCAR offseason, will compete in the upcoming race at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, but Joey Hand has been named as his official standby for the weekend. The focus on the Brad Keselowski COTA replacement comes as the race at COTA presents an added challenge given Keselowski’s recent health setback and the technical demands of the circuit.
Keselowski’s Injury and Early Season Performance
During a skiing trip in mid-December, Brad Keselowski broke his right femur, which became one of the key talking points as the NASCAR season approached. Fortunately, the timing allowed the Rochester Hills, Michigan, native to recover enough to participate in the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, although he did have to miss the preseason Cook Out Clash exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Keselowski started the 2026 season with back-to-back superspeedway races at Daytona and EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta Motor Speedway), which suited his recovery best. After solid performances—finishing fifth and seventeenth—he now sits ninth in the point standings, reflecting resilience as he continues rehabilitation.
Challenges Await at Circuit of the Americas
COTA, a 17-turn, 2.4-mile road course in Austin, Texas, is known for its demanding layout and technical requirements. Keselowski, who still relies on a cane as he recovers, is set to drive the No. 6 Ford for RFK Racing in the DuraMAX Grand Prix. However, the physical nature of COTA’s shifting and braking zones adds uncertainty, increasing the importance of being prepared with a qualified replacement.
Joey Hand Designated as Replacement Driver
Joey Hand, standing by for Brad Keselowski, brings notable road course experience. As a Ford factory sports car driver, Hand has participated in nine NASCAR national series races—eight in the Cup Series since 2021—all on road or street courses. His most recent Cup start for RFK Racing occurred in Chicago in 2024, where he achieved a strong fourth-place finish. In 2025, he made a national series appearance at Portland International Raceway for RSS Racing, highlighting his familiarity with challenging circuits.
RFK Racing’s preparation underscores their commitment to ensuring competitive participation at COTA, regardless of Keselowski’s ability to complete the race distance. Joey Hand’s knowledge of both Ford cars and road courses positions him as an ideal fit should he need to step in.
Playoff Implications and Team Strategy
If Keselowski is unable to start or finish the 95-lap event at COTA on Sunday, he would almost certainly be eligible for a playoff waiver. This waiver would allow him to remain in contention for the 16-driver playoff lineup, provided he finishes the regular season inside the top sixteen in points. Such measures are intended to protect drivers from unforeseen medical setbacks impacting their championship chances.
RFK Racing managed similar scenarios at Daytona and Atlanta, where standby driver David Ragan was on alert, though ultimately not needed. The organization hopes this contingency with Joey Hand is not necessary at COTA either, allowing Keselowski to continue his determined comeback.
What to Expect at the DuraMAX Grand Prix
Fox will broadcast the DuraMAX Grand Prix from Circuit of the Americas starting at 3:30 p.m. ET this Sunday, March 1. This race marks the first road course competition of the 2026 NASCAR season and draws extra attention due to the circumstances surrounding Brad Keselowski, his recovery journey, and the presence of a capable replacement in Joey Hand. RFK Racing’s approach highlights the importance of preparation, leaving fans to watch closely to see whether the veteran driver can tackle the technical demands of COTA—or if Joey Hand will be called upon to represent the team in one of NASCAR’s most challenging venues.
