NASCAR Cup series driver Erik Jones has been sidelined with a spinal fracture following a serious collision at the Talladega Superspeedway. The incident unfolded during a Stage 3 crash that involved heavy contact with Bubba Wallace’s car, which sent Jones’ vehicle careening head-on into the wall.
After initial evaluation at the Talladega infield care center, Jones was promptly transported to a Birmingham hospital on Sunday. The medical update provided by his team, Legacy Motor Club, revealed that Jones sustained a significant injury—a compression fracture in a lower vertebra. As a consequence, Corey Heim will now take the wheel at the upcoming Dover race in place of the injured Jones.
According to officials, no specific timetable has been established for Jones’ return to racing. Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, emphasized that the athlete’s health and recovery are the establishment’s utmost concern, assuring that Jones will be granted the time necessary for thorough healing. Johnson expressed firm support for both Jones and his wife during this challenging period, and anticipates Jones’ presence at the track, asserting a cordial outlook for his recovery.
Currently, after facing a 35th-place finish at Talladega owing to the crash, Jones stands 20th in the point rankings this season. His performance this year peaked with an eighth-place finish at Daytona, shaping his current average standing at 21st.
Source: Yahoo Sports