12/19/25 04:16:00
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12/19 16:14 CST NASCAR's Brad Keselowski breaks leg in skiing accident,
expected to recover for Daytona 500
NASCAR's Brad Keselowski breaks leg in skiing accident, expected to recover for
Daytona 500
By JENNA FRYER
AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) --- NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski, a former series
champion who is now co-owner of RFK Racing, broke his right leg while on a ski
trip, the team announced Friday.
Keselowski underwent surgery Thursday and doctors have told him to expect a
quick recovery that will have him back for the season-opening Daytona 500 in
February. He is winless in 16 starts in the showcase race as he enters the
final years of his driving career.
"Life has a way of reminding you to slow down," Keselowski posted on social
media with photos of him in the hospital surrounded by his wife and children,
an image of the break, and video of him using a walker. "Grateful for my family
by my side, an excellent medical team, and the ability to take a few steps
forward today. Focused on Daytona. Bonus --- I'm now bionic!"
Keselowski did not reveal the extent of his injury, or what bones are broken.
Keselowski, who turns 42 just days before the Feb. 15 "Great American Race," is
entering his 17th full season of racing at the top Cup Series level. He spent
the bulk of his career at Team Penske but purchased a stake in Roush Fenway
Racing in 2022 and became an owner/driver of the rebranded team.
The organization is reeling from Thursday's fatal plane crash that killed
longtime Roush driver Greg Biffle and six others, including his wife and two
children. Biffle had retired by the time Keselowski joined the team.
"First and foremost, our hearts remain heavy with the news of yesterday's
tragic events," the team said. "The RFK Racing family, as well as the NASCAR
community, as a whole, continues to keep those close to The Biffle Family and
all those affected in our thoughts. Albeit untimely, we feel that in the
interest of transparency we share RFK Racing co-owner and driver Brad
Keselowski suffered a broken leg while on a ski trip with his family Thursday."
The team called the surgery "routine" and said doctors expect a "a quick and
full recovery."
Keselowski broke his ankle in 2011 when he crashed during a test session and
won a Cup Series race at Pocono just days later.
"I'm grateful to the medical team who took great care of me and for the support
system around me," Keselowski said in a statement. "I'm motivated to get back
to full strength as quickly as possible and will work relentlessly to be ready
for Daytona."
Keselowski won the 2012 Cup Series championship for Penske and has 36 career
victories at NASCAR's top level. He won the Xfinity Series title in 2010 and 39
races in NASCAR's second-tier series. He has won one points-paying race since
leaving Penske as he works to help rebuild RFK into the once-proud organization
founded by Hall of Fame team owner Jack Roush.
Chase Elliott, NASCAR's most popular driver, missed six races in the 2023
season when he broke his leg in a snowboarding crash early in the season. Kyle
Busch missed 11 races when he broke his leg in a crash at Daytona in 2015 but
recovered to win the Cup championship that year.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
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