The 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium was postponed to February 4 due to heavy snowfall, prompting speculation about Brad Keselowski’s possible return to the event. However, Keselowski firmly declined any chance of competing, citing his current recovery status and licensing requirements as barriers to participation.
Brad Keselowski, driver and co-owner of RFK Racing, will not take part in the NASCAR Clash following a skiing accident on December 18 that resulted in a broken right femur. The injury has kept him off the track, and he currently does not hold an active NASCAR competition license. Keselowski is focused on regaining full fitness in preparation for the upcoming Daytona 500.
After the rescheduling of the Clash, a fan on X inquired whether Keselowski might replace Corey LaJoie behind the wheel of RFK Racing’s #6 car, given the added time before the race. Keselowski responded clearly:
“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”
This response confirmed that without passing the mandatory NASCAR tests, Keselowski is not eligible to participate in any event, including the postponed Clash. His priority remains recovering fully to compete at Daytona International Speedway on February 15.
Keselowski’s physical condition will undergo further assessment with a scheduled medical evaluation on February 5 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which will determine his clearance to return to racing.
Details on Keselowski’s Injury and Impact on the Season
The broken right femur sustained in the accident is one of the most severe injuries a driver can face, and it forced RFK Racing to assign Corey LaJoie as Keselowski’s substitute for the Clash. Discussing the injury in an interview, Keselowski shared the difficulties of his recovery:
“It’s a really painful thing to break. It’s the biggest bone in your body, which is kind of the bad part about it. The good thing is it’s also one of the fastest healing parts of your body, so I’m just really dealing with the pain and trying to recover as fast as I can.”
– Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing driver/co-owner
Coming off a disappointing 2025 season where Keselowski failed to secure a win and missed the playoffs, his team and fans are eager for a stronger performance this year. Last season ended with a 20th-place finish in the championship standings, increasing pressure on Keselowski and the RFK Ford #6 crew to rebound.
With the NASCAR Clash postponed, the delay does not change Keselowski’s status but does add time as he pursues readiness for what is one of the sport’s most significant events, the Daytona 500. His ability to return depends heavily on medical clearance and passing NASCAR’s driver eligibility tests, making the upcoming week critical for his 2026 campaign.
