RFK Racing will have a backup driver in the No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse to kick off 2026 as driver-owner Brad Keselowski continues to recover from an offseason injury.
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The NASCAR Cup Series team announced on Thursday that Corey LaJoie will take over the entry for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 1. The veteran driver will also serve as the reserve driver for the first few weeks of the season, a role he held last season.
Keselowski needs a backup due to an injury. He broke his leg in mid-December during a ski trip with his family. The 2012 Cup Series champion successfully underwent surgery, which put him on track to return in time for 17th season as a full-time driver.
Speaking with Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, Keselowski explained that the rehab timeline puts his return date right at the time that teams will head to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Of course, that would be predicated on the rehab process going "absolutely perfect." Keselowski said it would be foolish to try to compete in the Clash.
LaJoie, 34, has not competed full-time in the Cup Series since the 2024 season. He split his time between multiple series last season while making four Cup Series starts for Rick Ware Racing and nine Craftsman Truck Series starts for Spire Motorsports. He also spent five races working as an analyst as part of the Prime Video studio team.
The 2026 Clash will mark the first time that LaJoie has competed at Bowman Gray Stadium as a Cup Series driver. He has a previous win in another racing series. He captured a 2012 race at Bowman Gray Stadium in what is now the ARCA Menards Series East.
LaJoie was not part of the lineup as Rick Ware Racing put Tim Brown in the No. 15 Ford and Cody Ware in the No. 51 Ford for the exhibition weekend.
The last time LaJoie competed in the Clash was the 2024 season when he finished 17th at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Now, he will take on a historic track while taking on the role of backup and helping Keselowski focus on recovery.
"Happy to be of service," LaJoie posted on X. "Wishing BK a speedy recovery. Let's go get another trophy at The Madhouse."
