NASCAR driver sidelined with spinal fracture suffered in Talladega wreck

Due to a spinal fracture he sustained in an incident at Talladega, Erik Jones will not be competing in Sunday’s

NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway, Legacy Motor Club stated on Tuesday.

Jones shared the announcement in a video on X, the social media platform that was formerly known as Twitter.

Jones stated that he is not sure when he will go back to the vehicle. After being let out of the Talladega care facility,

he checked himself into a hospital in Alabama.

Driver Corey Heim of the NASCAR Truck Series will take over for Jones at Dover and going forward. This weekend,

Jones will be at the track to cheer on the team and Heim.

“Hope to be back in the car as soon as I can,” stated Jones. “Just wanted to say thanks to Legacy for supporting me.”

Late in Sunday’s Geico 500, Jones’ No. 43 Toyota made contact with Bubba Wallace and smashed into the Turn 3

wall. His car struck the wall squarely in the crash. Before getting out of the car, he was heard on team

communication complaining of back pain. Jones said he was “sore” but thought he would be fine after the race to Fox

Sports.

Following the race, Jones reportedly visited UAB University Hospital in Birmingham for more assessment and met

with physicians in Charlotte. It was then found that Jones had sustained a compression fracture to his lower

vertebrae, according to Legacy Motor Club.

“Our top priority is Erik’s long-term health,” stated Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of Legacy Motor Club. “It will be

great to see him at the track Sunday and we intend to give him the time it takes to recovery properly.”

When Jones returns, Legacy Motor Club says it will apply for a medical waiver to keep him eligible for the NASCAR

playoffs. Unless a waiver is granted, drivers must try to start every race during the regular season in order to be

eligible for the 10-race format.