A snowstorm in central North Carolina has forced NASCAR to postpone the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium from Monday to Wednesday, but Brad Keselowski will remain sidelined due to his current lack of a valid NASCAR competition license. The 2012 Cup Series champion is expected to complete the required medical evaluations later this week before he can return to racing.
Keselowski’s absence stems from a serious injury he suffered on December 18 while skiing, when he broke his right femur and required same-day surgery in Boone, North Carolina. This injury abruptly ended his winter testing plans and led RFK Racing to assign Corey LaJoie as his replacement driver for the season-opening exhibition race. As a result, Keselowski will miss his first NASCAR Cup Series start of the 2026 season, with hopes to be cleared for the Daytona 500 on February 15.
Reasons Behind Keselowski’s Ongoing License Hold-Up
Despite the delay of the Cook Out Clash due to worsening weather conditions and unsafe travel, Keselowski confirmed via social media that he has yet to receive NASCAR’s medical clearance. He must pass a series of tests before regaining his competition license, which is mandatory to compete at Daytona or in any other race.
“I don’ t currently have a valid NASCAR driver’s license. Scheduled to take the different tests end of the week. Must pass to drive the car at DAYTONA or anywhere else. Big week ahead,” Brad Keselowski wrote on X.
The winter storm blanketing the Winston-Salem region postponed the race weekend activities multiple times, initially shifting practice and qualifying to Sunday, then delaying the entire event to Monday, and finally to Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Keselowski also expressed some relief regarding NASCAR’s rescheduling, posting:
“Imagining if the Daytona 500 was this weekend 🤩🤩”
The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in 2025 will mark the first time NASCAR holds a points-free race at this historic quarter-mile track.
Keselowski’s Effort to Overcome Injury and End Winless Streak
Last season, Keselowski finished 21st in the Cook Out Clash after showing strong early performance inside the top five. Throughout his 16th full NASCAR Cup Series season, Keselowski was unable to secure a victory but finished with three runner-up spots and 13 top-10 results. RFK Racing’s No. 6 Ford concluded the year ranked 20th in the overall standings, and Keselowski is determined to break this winless spell as soon as he can race again.
Keselowski co-owns RFK Racing and is scheduled for medical assessments on February 5 to determine his readiness for competition. These evaluations include checks for his ability to walk unaided and the clearance of prescription pain medications, prerequisites NASCAR requires before licensing a driver returning from injury.
Passing these medical tests is essential for Keselowski’s anticipated comeback at the Daytona 500, marking a significant milestone in overcoming his injury and returning to full racing form.
Short answer- NO
Long answer- I don’t currently have a valid NASCAR driver’s license. Scheduled to take the different tests end of the week. Must pass to drive the car at DAYTONA or anywhere else.
Big week ahead https://t.co/T4Us4hVjV7
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) February 2, 2026
https://twitter.com/keselowski/status/2017703782419726689
