NASCAR clears Brad Keselowski to compete in the Daytona 500
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CONCORD, N.C. — NASCAR has cleared Brad Keselowski to compete in the Daytona 500 following a near two-month recovery from a broken leg suffered in December.
Keselowski, 41, sat out the Cookout Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium to prioritize his recovery ahead of his medical clearance test, during which Corey LaJoie drove the team owner’s No. 6 Ford Mustang .
“Getting cleared was a huge moment for me. You put in the work, you trust the process, but until you hear that final ‘yes,’ nothing is guaranteed,” a relieved Keselowski said.
“Knowing what Daytona means, and how hard it would have been to miss it, made this moment even bigger. I’m grateful to the medical team and to NASCAR for being thorough, and I’m excited to get back in the car.”
The 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion was laser focused since the injury to be able to compete in the opening race of the 2026 season.
“This process was about discipline and patience. There were no shortcuts,” Keselowski said.
“I had a poster in my workout area that said, ‘Daytona. Earned not given,’ and that became my mindset every day. The focus was on getting stronger, improving mobility, and making sure I was truly ready to race.”
Brad Keselowski and the whole RFK Racing organization covets the Daytona 500. Their Fords have been fast at the superspeedway in recent years and look to continue their hot start to the season after capturing their first Clash win since 1999.
Hear directly from the veteran driver below.
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Ryan Kemna View All
Ryan Kemna is a photojournalist for The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2025.
Currently residing in the Minneapolis, MN, area, Kemna brings his passion for motorsports, photography, and a good story to readers.