Corey LaJoie, a 34-year-old driver with experience across all three NASCAR national series, has yet to secure a win after 303 races, mostly with mid-level teams. Now, LaJoie is unexpectedly positioned to take the wheel for RFK Racing in 2026 following an injury to the team’s driver and co-owner, Brad Keselowski. This chance arises as Keselowski recovers from a broken leg sustained during an offseason skiing accident, threatening his participation in the upcoming NASCAR season, including the Daytona 500.
Keselowski’s Injury Creates Vacancy in No. 6 RFK Ford Mustang
Brad Keselowski disclosed in December that he suffered a broken femur skiing, with the goal of returning for the prestigious season opener at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. Keselowski’s absence left the No. 6 RFK Ford Mustang Dark Horse without a confirmed driver just weeks before the critical races. This situation coincided with LaJoie’s ongoing talks with RFK Racing about a part-time driving role in 2026, making him an ideal choice as a replacement for the early superspeedway events, including the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.
LaJoie’s Journey and Discussions Leading to RFK Collaboration
Reflecting on the previous offseason, LaJoie raced part-time with Rick Ware Racing in the Cup Series and Spire Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series during 2025. He also engaged in preliminary conversations with middle-tier O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Series teams but did not finalize any partnerships. He revealed on his ‘Stacking Pennies’ podcast that talks with Keselowski and RFK Racing had already commenced, focusing on running five to six superspeedway races in 2026. Keselowski’s insight was that Ford teams needed stronger unity on the track to match Chevrolet and Toyota competitors’ collaborative efforts.
“I entertained some conversations, but nothing really got any traction,”
LaJoie said.
“And Brad has always been a friend of mine. And I think he, I’ve raced around him for years now, and I think he’s always been super complimentary of me as a driver and always supportive. I always go to him for advice and things like that on how to navigate just the garage in general.”
?Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Driver
From Casual Talks to an Unexpected Call
Although optimistic about joining RFK Racing in a limited capacity, LaJoie was careful not to push too hard for the opportunity. He explained that pressing too much could cause anxiety and potentially disrupt relationships within the NASCAR community. Just before Christmas, LaJoie met with Chip Bowers, RFK Racing’s president appointed in September 2025, for coffee. During this meeting, LaJoie was informed that Keselowski had broken his femur, although the full severity of the injury was initially undisclosed to him.
“I’m not going to be pressing because that’s when I get really anxious, is when I try to just move pieces on the board that probably aren’t meant to be moved or try to leverage relationships,”
LaJoie remarked. Later,
“he got the call from Brad that he just broke his femur.”
?Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Driver
Bowers’s subsequent message hinted at rapid changes within the team’s plans. LaJoie described the sense of urgency as Bowers quickly wrapped up their meeting, signaling that RFK Racing was mobilizing to address the evolving situation. Soon after, Keselowski asked LaJoie to drive the car at the Bowman Gray Clash and potentially the Daytona 500, although the extent of LaJoie’s involvement in the season remained uncertain due to ongoing recovery developments.
New Partnership Development and RFK’s Adjusted Strategy
Initially, the fourth-car project at RFK Racing had been put on hold as the organization assessed Keselowski’s condition and its impact on the racing program. Eventually, as Keselowski’s prospects for recovering in time for Daytona improved, RFK Racing pushed forward with the effort. The team brought on Trimble, an in-house partner aiming to expand its footprint, to support the new fourth-car entry. LaJoie was officially offered the opportunity to drive the No. 99 Mustang at Daytona and the No. 6 at the Clash, weather conditions permitting.
“So once it looked hopeful that Brad was going to be able to recover and go to the 500, they then push play on the fourth car efforts. And they got it sold to Trimble, an in-house partner. They’ve been trying to grow. And they called me to do it.”
?Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Driver
Uncertain Yet Promising Future in 2026
While LaJoie’s full schedule for the 2026 NASCAR season has not been finalized, his readiness to step into RFK Racing’s lineup underlines the unpredictable nature of motorsports and the opportunities that arise from unforeseen circumstances. This development could mark a pivotal moment in LaJoie’s career, offering him the chance to race top-tier equipment with one of NASCAR’s notable teams.
The coming months will reveal the extent of LaJoie’s participation and impact in RFK Racing’s campaign, potentially reshaping his trajectory in the highly competitive Cup Series. Fans and industry observers alike will watch closely as LaJoie embraces this unexpected challenge and attempts to convert it into his first trip to victory lane.
