Brad Keselowski is uncertain about competing in next weekend’s race at Circuit of the Americas as he continues to recover from a leg fracture sustained during a recent family ski trip. The RFK Racing driver will undergo medical and physical evaluations to determine his ability to participate in the demanding 20-turn road course event.
Keselowski, 42, had surgery following the injury and missed the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium to focus on healing ahead of the Daytona 500. He was cleared to race at Daytona, where he delivered a strong fifth-place finish in the No. 6 Ford. While he is scheduled to drive this Sunday in the Autotrader 400 at Echopark Speedway, his participation at COTA remains in doubt due to the physical challenges posed by the circuit.
Driver to Undergo Tests Before Confirming Participation
Keselowski expressed uncertainty about his status for the upcoming race and outlined the plan for his medical clearance in an interview.
“I’m just going to see how I feel. You know, I’ve got some more stuff to test next week to get through with a medical test and a physical test. We’ll probably just see how those go, and make a decision on what’s best for me,” he said via Racing America.
To prepare for the possibility that Keselowski cannot compete, RFK Racing named Joey Hand as the backup driver for the road course events. Hand, recognized as a road course specialist, brings significant experience to the team.
“We’re glad to have him. He’s the Ford reserve driver for all of the road courses,” Keselowski commented. “He’s won all the big races you can win across the globe, so great guy too. He’s been very helpful.”
Atlanta Qualifying Canceled; Keselowski’s Starting Position Confirmed
Qualifying for Sunday’s race in Atlanta was canceled due to adverse weather conditions, leading to the starting lineup being set by the metric system. Keselowski earned the fifth spot on the grid, positioned alongside fellow Ford driver Zane Smith. The race at Atlanta Motor Speedway will begin at 3 PM ET on February 22 and will be broadcast on FOX and HBO Max, with live radio coverage available via SiriusXM.
Keselowski Eyes a Breakthrough at Atlanta
Reflecting on his history at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Keselowski expressed optimism about the upcoming race after recent performances for RFK Racing. The Michigan native highlighted the team’s progress and his own strong finishes at the track in previous years.
“We’ve been really close here. I ran second here a couple times in the last two years. Had a great run in the fall race of 24, won that one. This is a racetrack of close calls for me. I have won two races here but not in this configuration but been really close in this one. And I feel like our team is ready for a breakthrough,” he said via Youtube/Peter Stratta. [0″29 onwards]
Recent Incident at Daytona Highlights Racing Tensions
During the final laps of the Daytona 500, Keselowski was involved in a collision after running in the top five positions. The incident was triggered when Riley Herbst made a late move that caused a direct hit on Keselowski’s car. The Ford driver criticized the maneuver as reckless, which sparked some back-and-forth comments.
Implications of Keselowski’s Injury and Upcoming Schedule
Brad Keselowski’s injury and the uncertainty surrounding his COTA race participation carry significant implications for both the driver and RFK Racing. The nature of the Circuit of the Americas track demands high physical fitness, and his recovery process will be closely monitored. Should Keselowski be unable to compete, the reliance on reserve drivers like Joey Hand becomes critical for maintaining team competitiveness on road courses. With important races ahead, including the Autotrader 400 and the All-Star event, Keselowski’s health status will remain a key focus for fans and analysts alike.
