NASCAR
Brad Keselowski Has Recovered for Full NASCAR Return
CONCORD, N.C. – Team owner, driver, and fierce competitor Brad Keselowski is back. Announced today by RFK Racing, their boss has passed all medical clearance needed for a racing return after broken femur suffered December 18. Physical and on-track testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) on Monday, Feb. 9 were all passed with flying colors. As a result, Keselowski is ready and cleared for the 2026 racing season ahead, starting with Daytona 500 activities Feb. 12-15.
“Getting cleared was a huge moment for me,” Keselowski said. “You put in the work, you trust the process, but until you hear that final ‘yes,’ nothing is guaranteed. 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, 41, was intently focused on not missing out the Great American Race. Perseverance over the past several weeks and full injury recovery did ultimately pay off. The 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion spent several hours each day working alongside his medical team and physical therapists to regain strength and mobility.
“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.”
Hard work pays off. There’s no one else we’d rather have in the seat.💪
𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗱 𝗞𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗸𝗶. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗼. 𝟲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗮 𝟱𝟬𝟬. 🦅 🦅
𝘽𝘼𝘿 𝘽𝙍𝘼𝘿 𝙄𝙎 𝘽𝘼𝘾𝙆! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zPZ7yA7kUp
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) February 9, 2026
NASCAR’s approval process included a full medical evaluation, plus an X-ray taken Jan. 30. This imaging showed positive healing, and gave doctors the green light to push Keselowski into the next phase of clearance. That benchmark was followed by a rehabilitation shift to competition readiness. During his on-track session at CMS, Keselowski verified that he was able to get behind the wheel of the No. 6 Castrol Ford Mustang in Daytona.
“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.”
Motivation all along for Keselowski was fueled by his passion for the Daytona 500. NASCAR’s most prestigious race is also the only crown jewel win absent from Keselowski’s very decorated racing résumé. Now cleared to race again, Daytona’s green flag lies ahead for the Rochester Hills, MI driver. He is solely focused on claiming the elusive Harley J. Earl Trophy. Across 16 past Daytona 500 starts, Keselowski’s best result was third in 2014.
“The Daytona 500 is the most coveted race we have. The history, the names on that trophy, it speaks for itself,” Keselowski said. “I’ve won at Daytona, but I haven’t won the 500, and that’s always been one I want. After everything it took to get back to this point, having another chance at it means everything.”
Throughout his NASCAR Cup Series career, Keselowski has thrived at superspeedway racing. BK has a combined seven wins between Talladega and Daytona. His lone Daytona win came in July 2016. Keselowski will be one of four RFK Racing drivers entered in the Daytona 500. He joins Chris Buescher in the No. 17 Fastenal/Body Guard Ford, Ryan Preece in the No. 60 Kroger/Viva Towels Ford, and Corey Lajoie in the No. 99 Trimble Ford.
Daytona 500 🤝 Iconic Biffle Number Style
All four RFK Racing cars will sport the iconic look for the Great American Race. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/OSdLeCSHtz
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) January 22, 2026
The Daytona 500 will start Sunday, February 15 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Written by Peter Stratta
Be sure to follow us on Twitter/X
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter/X
Photo Credits to James Gilbert/Getty Images
