Brad Keselowski is scheduled to undergo medical and physical evaluations this week to determine if he will be able to race at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) next month. The RFK Racing co-owner and driver, continuing his recovery from a broken femur sustained in the offseason, will compete at EchoPark Speedway today but remains uncertain about competing on the challenging road course.
Keselowski’s Road to Recovery After Serious Injury
Keselowski suffered a broken femur on December 18 during a family ski trip in Boone, North Carolina, resulting in surgery and a lengthy recovery period. Due to the injury, he missed the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium and delegated Corey LaJoie as his replacement for that exhibition event. Since then, Keselowski made a return for the Daytona race, finishing fifth after participating in a physical assessment at Charlotte Motor Speedway. His progress remains cautious as he continues to evaluate his readiness for further races.
Speaking ahead of the Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway, Keselowski revealed to Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass that he is waiting for additional tests before finalizing his decision about racing at COTA.
“I’m just going to see how I feel. You know, I’ve got some more stuff to test next week to get through with a medical test and a physical test. We’ll probably just see how those go, and make a decision on what’s best for me,” Brad Keselowski said on Saturday.
Contingency Plans for COTA Weekend
In preparation for the possibility that Keselowski may not be able to race at COTA, RFK Racing has enlisted Joey Hand as a backup driver. Hand, experienced in road courses, has notable victories in endurance racing, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring. His presence provides RFK Racing with a reliable contingency for the Austin event.
Additionally, Keselowski has kept the door open to a mid-race driver swap, where he would start the race and, if his leg causes difficulty, Hand could take over driving duties later on the road course. This flexible approach aims to balance Keselowski’s determination to compete with his recovery needs.
Starting Grid Position at Atlanta Following Rained-Out Qualifying
For the upcoming 2026 Autotrader 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Keselowski will begin the race from the fifth position after qualifying was canceled due to rain on Saturday. The starting lineup was then determined by a performance metric formula. Tyler Reddick, winner of the Daytona 500, earned the pole position, with Joey Logano alongside him on the front row. Keselowski and his No. 6 RFK Racing Ford will be positioned in Row 3 when the race begins at 3 pm ET.
Keselowski’s strong history at Atlanta includes multiple top-10 starting positions, making this fifth-place grid spot his fourth top-10 start at the track since 2022. He has secured two wins at the 1.54-mile circuit and has finished in the top ten ten times over his last eight races there, demonstrating consistent competitiveness despite his recent injury.
Ongoing Challenges and the Road Ahead for Keselowski
While Keselowski remains hopeful about his return to full racing form, the uncertainty surrounding his COTA participation reflects the difficulties of recovering from a major injury in a demanding sport like NASCAR. His reliance on medical evaluations to guide decisions underscores the tension between his competitive drive and the physical limitations caused by the offseason broken femur.
The decisions he and RFK Racing make in the coming weeks will affect not only his performance but also the team’s strategy during the critical early part of the racing season. The collaboration with Joey Hand highlights the team’s readiness to adapt in case Keselowski’s recovery timeline requires additional flexibility.
Brad Keselowski is still unsure on his status next week for COTA. Joey Hand will be his backup driver. Keselowski could start the race and then get out of the car. Keselowski on Hand as his reserve driver and COTA scenarios: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/8hVvzDgE5t
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 21, 2026
