Brad Keselowski is preparing for his 17th Daytona 500 appearance after receiving clearance to compete, despite still navigating the garage with a cane during Wednesday’s practice sessions. He withdrew from the Clash at Bowman Gray to recover from a broken femur sustained during a skiing accident but is now back behind the wheel and ready to race.
The Impact of Injury Beyond Physical Recovery
The broken leg brought more than just a physical setback; it halted Keselowski’s life and prompted him to confront fears he had never anticipated. In January, he grappled with uncertainty about whether he would walk again or race competitively. Although determined to endure his rehabilitation, doubt lingered as the confines of a hospital room allowed his mind to wander toward darker possibilities.
As Keselowski committed to grueling six-hour daily therapy sessions, his experience deepened his understanding of pain and the resilience required to overcome it. While immobilized after the fracture, he reflected on soldiers from the Civil War who faced similar agonies without modern medical care.
“When I was laying on the ground, and I was completely immobile immediately after I broke my leg, what was going through my mind was like, ‘Oh my God — think about the soldiers in the Civil War. They would just cut their leg off right here.’”
?Brad Keselowski, NASCAR Driver
He recognized why such drastic measures were taken and acknowledged the overwhelming pain he endured.
“And I understood why they would do it because it hurt so bad. It was by far the worst pain I ever went through. I get why they would bring out the hacksaw. There was part of me that’s like, ‘That might actually feel better.’”
?Brad Keselowski, NASCAR Driver
Racing Through Pain and Finding Purpose
Despite not being fully healed, Keselowski experiences a transformation once inside the race car. The sensation of the fitted seat and the rush of adrenaline temporarily override his discomfort, enabling him to focus on performance rather than pain. Following his practice run, Keselowski reported feeling stable and ready to participate in qualifying rounds.
Strengthening a Longstanding Connection to the Military
This health challenge did not create Keselowski’s respect for the armed forces—it intensified a relationship he has nurtured over many years. The driver and RFK Racing team owner has long supported military members and veterans through initiatives such as the Brad Keselowski Checkered Flag Foundation, which aids wounded servicemen and servicewomen and their families.
Keselowski’s commitment is reflected annually in his Tribute to Veterans events, where he honors service members by emblazoning their names on his race cars, especially during patriotic-themed race weekends and Memorial Day. His involvement extends beyond symbolic gestures; he has visited military installations like Camp Grayling, participated in training exercises, spent time on firing ranges, and given injured veterans rides in race cars, offering them an exhilarating glimpse of speed and adrenaline.
Facing his own painful journey forged a deeper empathy with veterans who have endured similar hardships, creating a new dimension of understanding between Keselowski and the military community.
