Brad Keselowski has been cleared to return from competition following recovery from a broken leg, RFK Racing announced Monday.
“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,” said Keselowski in a team release. “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.”
Keselowski, the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion, suffered a broken right femur while on a skiing vacation on Dec. 18. The driver and co-owner of the No. 6 RFK Racing Ford underwent successful surgery and has been approved by doctors to return to competition for the 68th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15 (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
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“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.”
Keselowski was sidelined for the exhibition Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, where Corey LaJoie piloted the No. 6 Ford in Keselowski‘s absence. An X-ray on Feb. 2 confirmed Keselowski had recovered well enough to return to Daytona, where he will seek his first Daytona 500 victory in his 17th start.
Keselowski has led the most laps in two of the last four editions of the “Great American Race.” Returning to the seat in time for this race was always an intended goal for the 36-time winner.
“Brad approached his recovery the same way he approaches racing; with focus, commitment, and attention to detail,” said Chip Bowers, RFK Racing president. “His drive and determination to be healthy and ready to compete in the Daytona 500, just eight weeks after his injury, is inspiring to everyone at RFK Racing.”
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RFK has won the Daytona 500 just twice in its storied history, both with Matt Kenseth in 2009 and 2012, when the organization was known as Roush Fenway Racing. Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece, Keselowski‘s teammates, are both seeking their first Daytona 500 victories.
LaJoie will pilot the No. 99 Ford for RFK Racing in an attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 as an Open entrant.
Keselowski will return to the No. 6 Ford beginning with all Daytona 500 activities Feb. 12-15, per the team.