Brad Keselowski will NOT compete in The Clash at Bowman-Gray Stadium, RFK Racing confirmed on Thursday.
Keselowski, who suffered a broken right femur while on a ski trip with his family in December, will instead work towards making a return to competition for the first points-paying event of the year, the DAYTONA 500.
Corey LaJoie, a reserve driver for RFK Racing, will jump behind the wheel of the No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the February 1 event at the half-mile bullring in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
LaJoie, a multi-year veteran of full-time competition in the NASCAR Cup Series, has a victory at Bowman Gray Stadium in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, which came in 2012 driving for his family-owned team.
In an exclusive interview with Bob Pockrass and FOX Sports, Keselowski explains the decision to skip The Clash, saying that he didn’t want to rush into getting back into the racecar, and while his team figured it would likely be possible, that getting immediately back in probably wasn’t the smartest idea.
“I’m really proud of the team of people I have doing the rehab and the race team is working hard,” Keselowski told FOX Sports. “I’m happy for Corey to get this opportunity. I can’t wait to see what he does with it.”
The Rochester Hills, Michigan-native will instead save his energy and strength for the DAYTONA 500, as he looks to finally win the prestigious event after more than a decade of close-calls.
Before Keselowski is approved to compete in the DAYTONA 500, Keselowski will have a medical evaluation test at Charlotte Motor Speedway on February 5, where his return will be conditional on three elements: not needing pain meds, being able to walk and get in and out of the car, and having some sign of bone regeneration.
The incident didn’t happen while on the slopes, like many people could have assumed, but instead happened after slipping on the ice getting out a vehicle, shearing his femur, and requiring emergency surgery.
“When I first had the injury, I had no feeling in my right leg from my knee up to my hip,” Keselowski said. “My foot and ankle and all that was good. My calf was good, but I couldn’t feel any of my quad or any of that stuff.”
The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium will take place on Sunday, February 1 at 8:00 PM ET on FOX. Corey LaJoie will be behind the wheel of the No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, with Keselowski slated to return for the DAYTONA 500.
