Brad Keselowski’s injury recovery update reveals he will not participate in the preseason Busch Light Clash, as he continues to heal from a broken right femur sustained in North Carolina, with his sights set on returning for the Daytona 500 on February 15. Keselowski, co-owner and driver for RFK Racing, is currently focused on an intensive rehab process, prioritizing long-term health as his team prepares for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season.
Details Surrounding Keselowski’s Off-Season Accident
The incident that forced Brad Keselowski’s absence occurred on December 18, 2025, during a family ski trip in Boone, North Carolina. After escorting his daughter to ski lessons, he slipped on an icy surface in a parking area. The fall resulted in a clean shear of his right femur—an injury that did not break the skin but required emergency attention at a local hospital.
Emergency surgery, performed shortly after the accident, stabilized Keselowski’s leg but marked the start of a challenging recovery. After the operation, he experienced additional complications, including nerve damage and an initial loss of sensation from his knee up to his hip. Over recent weeks, he has gradually regained feeling and partial mobility in the affected leg.
Explaining his decision to skip the Clash, Brad Keselowski emphasized caution over speed in a FOX Sports interview with Bob Pockrass.
“I didn’t want to rush back, Keselowski told Pockrass. The team and I made the decision together that if all the rehab went absolutely perfect, we’d be ready like, literally, the day of the Clash. And that seemed super foolish and didn’t give us any time to do any testing on myself or anything like that.”
— Brad Keselowski, Driver and Co-Owner, FOX Sports via Bob Pockrass
Rehabilitation Regimen and Medical Hurdles
Brad Keselowski’s daily life now centers around a demanding six to eight-hour rehabilitation schedule, combining strength exercises, frequent ice treatments, and advanced therapy equipment applying cold, compression, or electrical stimulation. Medical professionals from Atrium Health have put together a program typically requiring up to 12 weeks of sustained effort for a broken femur of this type.
The pain of the injury, Keselowski has noted, exceeds any previous physical challenges from his past racing incidents, including broken ribs and wrists. Despite persistent discomfort, he continues to follow medical guidance closely while working toward being cleared for competition under NASCAR health protocols.
The critical checkpoint will come on February 5 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Keselowski will undergo a closed medical test. NASCAR’s requirements for clearance include being free of prescription pain medications, demonstrating an ability to walk sufficiently and to get in and out of a race car, and showing evidence of bone regeneration on medical scans. These standards, monitored by his doctors, will determine whether he can participate in the Daytona 500.
Adjustments at RFK Racing and Season Prospects
With Keselowski unable to compete at the Busch Light Clash, RFK Racing has reassigned their reserve driver, Corey LaJoie, to pilot the No. 6 Ford Mustang at Bowman Gray Stadium and remain on standby as the season opens. Keselowski has voiced his support for the decision, sharing confidence in his team’s planning and in LaJoie’s preparation for the temporary fill-in role.
Giving an additional progress update, Keselowski told FOX Sports,
“I’m recovering really well. I had a major injury. I’m on a significant rehab plan to be back for the Daytona 500, he said.”
— Brad Keselowski, Driver and Co-Owner, FOX Sports via Bob Pockrass
While the rehabilitative process has kept Keselowski grounded at home, it has also reinforced his appreciation for the sport and for time with family. The 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who balances driving with his co-ownership at RFK Racing, remains determined to meet all health benchmarks. As the start of the 2026 season nears, the focus for Keselowski, his medical team, and RFK Racing is clear: pass NASCAR’s medical evaluation, achieve a full recovery, and line up at the Daytona 500 starting grid.
