Brad Keselowski Racing Through Injury at Darlington Raceway
RFK Racing driver continues recovery from broken femur while tackling NASCAR’s toughest oval
Keselowski Racing with Injury at Darlington Raceway Patrick McDermott - Getty Images Brad Keselowski possesses two victories and a 12. 13 average finish in 24 races at Darlington Raceway, but this is the first year he’s faced NASCAR’s oldest speedway while recovering from a broken leg. “Driving the race car is a blessing and a curse,” said Keselowski, who broke his right femur/thigh bone in December while on a snow skiing trip with his family.
“It’s a blessing because it provides the motivation for me to really push my rehab and do things faster than normal, which is not a bad thing. But it’s a curse because when I get in the car it does hurt, it does pull me backwards. When I have the adrenaline and all those things, I don’t really notice it, but when it wears off, I’ve got to recover from that.
” Keselowski’s injury required surgery and a rod insertion. Initially, he wondered if he would ever walk again when he was given a six-month recovery time. He skipped the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray but was in his RFK Racing Ford for the season opener at Daytona.
In the season’s first five races, Keselowski hasn’t finished outside the top 20. However, he only has one top five and two finishes inside the top 10. Patrick McDermott - Getty Images “I keep having x-rays,” says Keselowski, whose days are filled with physical therapy.