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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 11: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 Nexlizet Ford, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Brad Keselowski will miss the preseason Busch Light Clash as he continues recovery from a broken right femur. The 41-year-old driver and co-owner of RFK Racing suffered the injury during the off-season and has been in daily rehab since then. Because of the injury timeline, Keselowski will not race on February 1 at Bowman Gray Stadium.
The focus now is on being cleared in time for the Daytona 500 on February 15. Keselowski and his team have taken a careful approach, putting recovery and long-term health first. The decision affects the opening exhibition race but keeps the season opener firmly in view.
How the injury happened
The injury occurred on December 18, 2025, during a family ski trip in Boone, North Carolina. After dropping his daughter off for ski lessons, Keselowski parked his vehicle and slipped on the ice. The fall caused a clean shear of his right femur without breaking the skin. He was taken to a local hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery.
The procedure stabilized the leg but began a long recovery process. Keselowski also suffered nerve damage and initially lost feeling from his knee to his hip. Over time, sensation has returned, and he has regained limited movement.
In a FOX Sports report by Bob Pockrass, Brad explained why he chose patience over speed. “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’s rehab and medical timeline
Brad spends six to eight hours each day in rehab. His routine includes strength work, ice sessions, and treatment machines that apply pressure, cold, or electrical stimulation. Doctors from Atrium Health oversee the program, which usually requires eight to 12 weeks for this type of injury.
Pain has been the biggest challenge. Keselowski has said the femur break caused more pain than any injury he has had before, including broken ribs, wrists, ankles, and fingers. Despite that, he remains active in rehab and focused on meeting NASCAR’s medical standards.
The next key step comes on February 5 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. NASCAR rules allow a closed medical test, where Keselowski and his doctors will check bone healing, mobility, and pain levels. He must meet three requirements to be cleared. He does not need prescribed pain medication. He must be able to walk at a reasonable level and get in and out of the car. Doctors must also see signs of bone regeneration.
Clash replacement and season outlook
With Brad Keselowski sidelined for the Clash, RFK Racing will turn to reserve driver Corey LaJoie. LaJoie will drive the No. 6 Ford Mustang at Bowman Gray Stadium and will also serve as the standby driver for the start of the season.
Brad has supported that move and praised the team’s depth. In the same FOX Sports story by Bob Pockrass, he also spoke about his recovery progress. “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.”
The injury has also given Keselowski more time at home with his family. He has said the experience reminded him how much racing matters to him. A former NASCAR Cup Series champion in 2012, Brad joined RFK Racing in 2022 and balances driving with ownership duties. As the 2026 season approaches, his focus remains clear. Heal fully, pass the medical test, and return to Daytona.
Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce
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