The 2026 NASCAR Cup Sequence season hasn’t formally began, and we’re already seeing a significant lineup change at RFK Racing. Corey LaJoie has been formally tapped to exchange Brad Keselowski within the upcoming Prepare dinner Out Conflict at Bowman Grey Stadium. This determination comes after Keselowski suffered a leg harm throughout a household ski journey in December.
For RFK Racing, this yr is important. With the return of the Chase-style playoff format and heightened expectations to carry out, the group is seeking to set up consistency early. Keselowski’s harm throws a wrench in these plans, sparking loads of dialog amongst followers and storage insiders about how the crew will navigate the opening weeks of the season.
What Occurred
RFK Racing confirmed the information in mid-January: Brad Keselowski will sit out the 2026 Prepare dinner Out Conflict. The veteran driver and crew co-owner broke his leg whereas snowboarding along with his household in December. Due to this, Corey LaJoie, who was already signed because the crew’s reserve driver, will soar into the No. 6 Ford for the exhibition race on the historic Bowman Grey Stadium.
The Occasion
The choice wasn’t made frivolously. Keselowski has been rehabbing steadily, however the calendar simply didn’t work in his favor. In line with the crew, even when his restoration went completely, he wouldn’t be medically cleared till the day of the Conflict. That timeline offered a logistical nightmare. It meant zero testing, no bodily analysis within the automotive, and completely no seat time earlier than the inexperienced flag dropped.
RFK management determined that placing him within the automotive beneath these circumstances was a danger that outweighed the reward, particularly for a race that pays no championship factors. With the Daytona 500 simply two weeks after the Conflict, preserving Keselowski’s well being for the common season opener grew to become the precedence.
Key Individuals Concerned
Brad Keselowski: The 2012 Cup Sequence champion and RFK co-owner, at present sidelined with a damaged leg.
Corey LaJoie: The veteran journeyman moving into the No. 6 Ford because the substitute driver.
RFK Racing Management: The group managing the medical timelines and guaranteeing the No. 6 crew stays aggressive in Brad’s absence.
Timeline of Occasions
December 2025: Brad Keselowski suffers a damaged leg throughout an offseason household ski journey.
Early January 2026: RFK Racing medical employees evaluates restoration timelines and initiates contingency protocols.
Mid-January 2026: The crew formally publicizes Keselowski will miss the Conflict and names Corey LaJoie because the alternative.
Background
Keselowski is seeking to bounce again from a blended bag of a season in 2025. He completed twentieth within the factors standings and went winless, a statistic that certainly doesn’t sit nicely with a former champion.
Nonetheless, the stats don’t inform the entire story. He completed the yr sturdy with runner-up finishes at main tracks like Phoenix, Bristol, and Atlanta. His final journey to victory lane was at Darlington in 2024, and the starvation to get again there may be driving his preparation for 2026.
Latest Historical past
Since shopping for into the crew in 2022, Keselowski has led an enormous overhaul at RFK Racing. The group has been in a gentle rebuilding section, upgrading infrastructure and enhancing uncooked pace.
Whereas they haven’t fairly reached the week-in, week-out dominance of the game’s greatest powerhouses, the arrow is pointing up. Keselowski has been the linchpin of this turnaround, pulling double responsibility because the lead driver and a key decision-maker within the boardroom.
How We Bought Right here
When the harm occurred, RFK didn’t should scramble. They activated a contingency plan that was already in place. LaJoie had been named the official reserve driver for the early a part of 2026 exactly for conditions like this. Lajoie was the logical choose.
He has years of expertise within the Cup Sequence, is aware of the Ford ecosystem, and has constructed a repute for getting essentially the most out of mid-tier gear. Placing him within the automotive ensures the crew can nonetheless collect information and compete whereas prioritizing Keselowski’s readiness for the Daytona 500.
Official Statements & Responses
Official Response
Keselowski was blunt in regards to the scenario. He famous that dashing again for an exhibition race would have been “tremendous silly.” He and the crew have been in lockstep on the choice, agreeing {that a} cautious strategy was obligatory. The fact that he wouldn’t be cleared till race day made it not possible to arrange correctly.
Professional Insights
Throughout the trade, the transfer is being hailed because the good play. There are not any factors on the road on the Conflict. Risking a setback that would affect the Daytona 500, the most important race of the yr, can be organizational malpractice. Moreover, analysts see this as a authentic shot for LaJoie. He has spent his profession grinding in underfunded automobiles. This can be a likelihood to indicate what he can do in top-tier equipment.
Public Response
The fan response has been overwhelmingly optimistic. Whereas followers are disenchanted Brad received’t be racing, they perceive the logic. Concurrently, there may be numerous goodwill towards LaJoie. Followers are desperate to see him compete in a automotive able to operating up entrance. It has additionally sparked a broader dialog about how well-prepared RFK is for the season, given their depth chart.
Influence & What It Means
Speedy Influence
Within the brief time period, the strain falls on LaJoie to maintain the No. 6 automotive clear and aggressive. Whereas the Conflict doesn’t affect the standings, it’s a very important take a look at session. It’s the primary actual likelihood to see if the crew’s offseason engineering good points translate to the observe. LaJoie’s suggestions might be essential in serving to the crew dial of their setups for the brief tracks arising later within the schedule.
Broader Implications
Keselowski lacking the kickoff occasion modifications the rhythm of the early season, however it exhibits RFK is enjoying the lengthy recreation. It additionally highlights the worth of getting a certified backup driver. In trendy NASCAR, depth issues. For LaJoie, that is an audition. A robust displaying right here might open doorways for future alternatives.
What Occurs Subsequent
The goalpost has moved to February 15. Keselowski is focusing on the Daytona 500 for his return, coinciding with the beginning of the brand new Chase-style factors system. Till then, LaJoie stays on standby. If Brad isn’t prepared, Corey might be.
Associated Developments
Chase Format Return: The 2026 season brings again the Chase format, altering how groups strategy factors early within the yr.
Offseason Dev: RFK has poured sources into their Ford program over the winter, and the Conflict is the primary report card.
Substitute Scramble: RFK isn’t alone, as different groups are finalizing their very own backup plans for the lengthy season forward.
The Venue: The Conflict is at Bowman Grey Stadium, a decent quarter-mile observe recognized for chaos, including one other layer of unpredictability for a substitute driver.
What Occurs Subsequent: Group Technique
RFK will preserve a detailed eye on Keselowski’s rehab. LaJoie will drive the Conflict and stay the insurance coverage coverage for the primary stretch of the season. Barring any setbacks, the crew totally expects the No. 6 again within the fingers of its proprietor for the Daytona 500. The crew will use the info LaJoie gathers on the Conflict to refine their package deal for the points-paying races.
FAQ SECTION
Q: What precisely occurred to Brad Keselowski?
A: Brad broke his leg throughout a ski journey along with his household in December. Due to the restoration time, he has to sit down out the 2026 Prepare dinner Out Conflict.
Q: Who’s driving the No. 6 automotive as a substitute?
A: Corey LaJoie, who was already signed as RFK’s reserve driver, might be behind the wheel.
Q: Does this race rely for the championship?
A: No. The Prepare dinner Out Conflict is an exhibition race. No factors are awarded, which made the choice to sit down Brad simpler.
Q: When will Brad be again?
A: The plan is for him to return for the season opener, the Daytona 500, on February 15.
What This Means
Keselowski’s lacking the Conflict is a stark reminder of how rapidly plans can change in skilled sports activities. Nonetheless, RFK Racing’s response exhibits a mature group that prioritizes the struggle over the battle. They’re sacrificing a non-points exhibition occasion to make sure their star driver and chief is at 100% when the factors begin counting at Daytona.
For Corey LaJoie, the stakes are completely different however equally excessive. This can be a uncommon alternative to showcase his expertise on a nationwide stage in race-winning gear. A stable efficiency at Bowman Grey received’t simply assist RFK. It might reshape how the storage views LaJoie’s ceiling as a driver.
In the end, this example proves that championships aren’t received in February exhibitions, however they’ll definitely be misplaced when you take pointless dangers. RFK is betting on well being and preparation, a method they hope pays off when the sphere hits the excessive banks of Daytona.
