Sadly, Brad Keselowski has suffered an damage on a snowboarding journey and wanted surgical procedure on his now damaged leg. Proper now, the timeline of his restoration is unknown, and at 38, with the Nice American Race two months away. This leaves Roush and all of NASCAR with an vital query.
Harrison Burton Is A Nice Candidate!
It’s true that Harrison Burton lately divorced Ford this offseason, going to the Toyotas of Sam Hunt Racing. If Ford and Burton left on good phrases, nonetheless, then there actually isn’t anybody higher to interchange the Polish American within the six for the five hundred. In any case, there aren’t plenty of drivers who’ve gained in Daytona within the Cup Collection, as Burton did in 2024, who aren’t already in a Cup Collection trip full-time
. Not solely that, however Burton did nice final season. Making the playoffs with a younger group coming off a nasty season, who by no means made the playoffs earlier than, and who was purchased out earlier this offseason. Harrison Burton is a expertise worthy of being within the Daytona 500 this upcoming February.
Subsequent as much as substitute Keselowski: How about Nick Sanchez?
The previous ARCA champion and Truck Collection rookie of the 12 months is presently with out a trip for 2026. Having been fired by Huge Machine Racing in the midst of the offseason. This makes the up-and-coming Miami-born driver a free agent, and with all his expertise, any producer ought to be doing no matter they will to get him to return over to their camp.
That is the place Ford might swing with a promise of him doing his first-ever Daytona 500 in a aggressive automobile in Keselowski’s 6. However this wouldn’t solely be to woo a promising younger driver. Nick Sanchez, even in his brief NASCAR profession, has proven plenty of talent and successful pace at plate tracks like Daytona.He even gained his first-ever truck race at Daytona on opening day for the sequence.
Then his solely ever Xfinity win with Huge Machine Racing got here at Atlanta, one other plate monitor. It’s a win for Sanchez, because it places him in a trip for the opening weekend, and it doubtlessly opens the door for an additional main alternative with Ford to restart his profession with. And it’s a win for Ford, because it means doubtlessly wooing a promising younger driver to assist develop right into a Cup Collection celebrity and somebody who might win a race like the five hundred.
How About One other former Ford Man Like Kaz Grala?
Kaz Grala may appear left discipline, however not in the event you look nearer. Grala does have a Daytona win in vehicles, which stands as his solely win in NASCAR’s high three sequence to this point. Greater than the Daytona win, nonetheless, he’s confirmed he can carry out in advanced, sudden circumstances.
Take a look at his first-ever Cup Collection begin in 2020! He changed Dillon after he examined constructive for COVID-19 within the iconic three-car. On the Daytona street course, he went off to complete seventh. However that wasn’t even the primary time he’s carried out so, so his 2018 Xfinity season is much more spectacular.His group, JGL, shut down midseason attributable to monetary hassle, so his dad purchased the group and renamed it Fury Race Automobiles.
He raced part-time for the remainder of the season. And he did even higher with them than JGL. Getting 4 high tens in eleven races. If Grala and Ford left on good phrases, there isn’t any motive to not set him as much as substitute Keselowski except they wish to go after the 2 drivers talked about above, in fact.
How About Parker Kligerman?
Who says lightning can’t strike twice? Final 12 months, when Kligerman changed Zilisch mid-race after the collarbone damage he handled attributable to his victory lane tumble. He went on to get the upset win with the JRM No. 88 in NASCAR’s second tier. And guess at what monitor? That’s proper, Daytona USA!
Plus, it’s not the one time Kligerman not solely changed a driver however even subbed for Keselowski. As in 2010, he certified Keselowski for the Nationwide Collection race at Gateway, which Keselowski drove and even gained. So he’s extra accustomed to his driving type than most. Making him extra prone to really feel comfortable in that automobile.
Lastly, How Does Corey LaJoie Sound?
Corey Lajoie is a Cup Collection veteran who’s had a number of time within the Subsequent Gen at plate tracks and has confirmed he can get outcomes at plate tracks in Cup, too. He’s gotten three Cup Collection high tens at Daytona, together with a fourth-place end on the 2024 Daytona 500.
And he did drive a Ford final 12 months at Daytona with RWR, making him rather more snug with Ford’s new mannequin, which, it ought to be talked about, he had an ideal run with! So put him in a greater trip and let’s see what occurs. Thanks a bunch for studying!
