Clash Curveball: Corey LaJoie Jumps In After Keselowski Injury

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season hasn’t officially started, and we are already seeing a major lineup change at RFK Racing. Corey LaJoie has been officially tapped to replace Brad Keselowski in the upcoming Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. This decision comes after Keselowski suffered a leg injury during a family ski trip in December.

For RFK Racing, this year is critical. With the return of the Chase-style playoff format and heightened expectations to perform, the organization is looking to establish consistency early. Keselowski’s injury throws a wrench in those plans, sparking plenty of conversation among fans and garage insiders about how the team will navigate the opening weeks of the season.

What Happened

RFK Racing confirmed the news in mid-January: Brad Keselowski will sit out the 2026 Cook Out Clash. The veteran driver and team co-owner broke his leg while skiing with his family in December. Because of this, Corey LaJoie, who was already signed as the team’s reserve driver, will jump into the No. 6 Ford for the exhibition race at the historic Bowman Gray Stadium.

The Event

The decision wasn’t made lightly. Keselowski has been rehabbing steadily, but the calendar just didn’t work in his favor. According to the team, even if his recovery went perfectly, he wouldn’t be medically cleared until the day of the Clash. That timeline presented a logistical nightmare. It meant zero testing, no physical evaluation in the car, and absolutely no seat time before the green flag dropped.

RFK leadership decided that putting him in the car under those circumstances was a risk that outweighed the reward, especially for a race that pays no championship points. With the Daytona 500 just two weeks after the Clash, preserving Keselowski’s health for the regular season opener became the priority.

Key People Involved

• Brad Keselowski: The 2012 Cup Series champion and RFK co-owner, currently sidelined with a broken leg.
• Corey LaJoie: The veteran journeyman stepping into the No. 6 Ford as the substitute driver.
• RFK Racing Leadership: The group managing the medical timelines and ensuring the No. 6 team stays competitive in Brad’s absence.

Timeline of Events

• December 2025: Brad Keselowski suffers a broken leg during an offseason family ski trip.
• Early January 2026: RFK Racing medical staff evaluates recovery timelines and initiates contingency protocols.
• Mid-January 2026: The team officially announces Keselowski will miss the Clash and names Corey LaJoie as the replacement.

Background

Keselowski is looking to bounce back from a mixed bag of a season in 2025. He finished 20th in the points standings and went winless, a statistic that surely doesn’t sit well with a former champion.

However, the stats don’t tell the whole story. He finished the year strong with runner-up finishes at major tracks like Phoenix, Bristol, and Atlanta. His last trip to victory lane was at Darlington in 2024, and the hunger to get back there is driving his preparation for 2026.

Recent History

Since buying into the team in 2022, Keselowski has led a massive overhaul at RFK Racing. The organization has been in a steady rebuilding phase, upgrading infrastructure and improving raw speed.

While they haven’t quite reached the week-in, week-out dominance of the sport’s biggest powerhouses, the arrow is pointing up. Keselowski has been the linchpin of this turnaround, pulling double duty as the lead driver and a key decision-maker in the boardroom.

How We Got Here

When the injury happened, RFK didn’t have to scramble. They activated a contingency plan that was already in place. LaJoie had been named the official reserve driver for the early part of 2026 precisely for situations like this. Lajoie was the logical pick.

He has years of experience in the Cup Series, knows the Ford ecosystem, and has built a reputation for getting the most out of mid-tier equipment. Putting him in the car ensures the team can still gather data and compete while prioritizing Keselowski’s readiness for the Daytona 500.

Official Statements & Responses

Official Response

Keselowski was blunt about the situation. He noted that rushing back for an exhibition race would have been “super foolish.” He and the team were in lockstep on the decision, agreeing that a cautious approach was necessary. The reality that he wouldn’t be cleared until race day made it impossible to prepare properly.

Expert Insights

Across the industry, the move is being hailed as the smart play. There are no points on the line at the Clash. Risking a setback that could impact the Daytona 500, the biggest race of the year, would be organizational malpractice. Furthermore, analysts see this as a legitimate shot for LaJoie. He has spent his career grinding in underfunded cars. This is a chance to show what he can do in top-tier machinery.

Public Reaction

The fan response has been overwhelmingly positive. While fans are disappointed Brad won’t be racing, they understand the logic. Simultaneously, there is a lot of goodwill toward LaJoie. Fans are eager to see him compete in a car capable of running up front. It has also sparked a broader conversation about how well-prepared RFK is for the season, given their depth chart.

Impact & What It Means

Immediate Impact

In the short term, the pressure falls on LaJoie to keep the No. 6 car clean and competitive. While the Clash doesn’t impact the standings, it is a vital test session. It’s the first real chance to see if the team’s offseason engineering gains translate to the track. LaJoie’s feedback will be crucial in helping the team dial in their setups for the short tracks coming up later in the schedule.

Broader Implications

Keselowski missing the kickoff event changes the rhythm of the early season, but it shows RFK is playing the long game. It also highlights the value of having a qualified backup driver. In modern NASCAR, depth matters. For LaJoie, this is an audition. A strong showing here could open doors for future opportunities.

What Happens Next

The goalpost has moved to February 15. Keselowski is targeting the Daytona 500 for his return, coinciding with the start of the new Chase-style points system. Until then, LaJoie stays on standby. If Brad isn’t ready, Corey will be.

Related Developments

• Chase Format Return: The 2026 season brings back the Chase format, changing how teams approach points early in the year.
• Offseason Dev: RFK has poured resources into their Ford program over the winter, and the Clash is the first report card.
• Substitute Scramble: RFK isn’t alone, as other teams are finalizing their own backup plans for the long season ahead.
• The Venue: The Clash is at Bowman Gray Stadium, a tight quarter-mile track known for chaos, adding another layer of unpredictability for a substitute driver.

What Happens Next: Team Strategy

RFK will keep a close eye on Keselowski’s rehab. LaJoie will drive the Clash and remain the insurance policy for the first stretch of the season. Barring any setbacks, the team fully expects the No. 6 back in the hands of its owner for the Daytona 500. The team will use the data LaJoie gathers at the Clash to refine their package for the points-paying races.

FAQ SECTION

Q: What exactly happened to Brad Keselowski?

A: Brad broke his leg during a ski trip with his family in December. Because of the recovery time, he has to sit out the 2026 Cook Out Clash.

Q: Who is driving the No. 6 car instead?

A: Corey LaJoie, who was already signed as RFK’s reserve driver, will be behind the wheel.

Q: Does this race count for the championship?

A: No. The Cook Out Clash is an exhibition race. No points are awarded, which made the decision to sit Brad easier.

Q: When will Brad be back?

A: The plan is for him to return for the season opener, the Daytona 500, on February 15.

What This Means

Keselowski’s missing the Clash is a stark reminder of how quickly plans can change in professional sports. However, RFK Racing’s response shows a mature organization that prioritizes the war over the battle. They are sacrificing a non-points exhibition event to ensure their star driver and leader is at 100% when the points start counting at Daytona.

For Corey LaJoie, the stakes are different but equally high. This is a rare opportunity to showcase his talent on a national stage in race-winning equipment. A solid performance at Bowman Gray won’t just help RFK. It could reshape how the garage views LaJoie’s ceiling as a driver.

Ultimately, this situation proves that championships aren’t won in February exhibitions, but they can certainly be lost if you take unnecessary risks. RFK is betting on health and preparation, a strategy they hope pays off when the field hits the high banks of Daytona.