The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series opened with a dramatic Daytona 500 on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway.
Tyler Reddick won the race in a tight finish ahead of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Joey Logano. The victory placed Reddick first in the standings with 58 points, followed by Logano with 46 and Chase Elliott with 43.
The race featured close pack racing, several cautions, and strong runs across the field. Zane Smith finished fourth, while Stenhouse, Brad Keselowski, and Chris Buescher left Daytona tied at 39 points. Keselowski’s fifth-place finish drew attention because the RFK Racing co-owner returned to competition only weeks after suffering a serious leg injury during the offseason.
Brad Keselowski Pushes Through Injury For A Strong Daytona Result
Keselowski drove the No. 6 Ford to fifth place and collected 39 points in the season opener. He led laps early and stayed competitive through the closing stages despite continuing recovery from surgery. The finish marked a solid start after he skipped the non-points Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium earlier in February to focus on healing.
Following Daytona, Keselowski looked ahead to the upcoming races and addressed the physical demands they would entail. “Atlanta is going to ramp up the intensity. It’s not necessarily a faster racetrack, but because it’s smaller, you carry a lot more G-forces here. So it’s a bit more physical workload. Then COTA next week will be a big challenge. I’m going to get through this weekend and see how it goes before making a decision on COTA, but I’m feeling good for Atlanta.”
He also confirmed his mindset about competing regardless of format, saying, “Oh yeah, absolutely. New format or old format, race car drivers want to race.”
Atlanta Next, While RFK Keeps Joey Hand’s Option Open For COTA
Brad Keselowski’s injury happened on December 18, 2025, during a family ski trip in Boone, North Carolina. His recovery required daily rehabilitation focused on strength and mobility.
The Cup Series continues at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta on February 22 before heading to Circuit of the Americas on March 1. Because COTA is a demanding road course, RFK Racing has road course specialist Joey Hand available as a reserve driver if needed.
Speaking to Frontstretch, Brad Keselowski confirmed Hand’s role and experience. He said, “Yes, Joey Hand.” He added with a light remark, “We’re glad to have him. He’s the Ford reserve driver for the road courses. He’s won many of the big races you can win around the world. He’s a great guy, and he’s been very helpful.”
Keselowski also acknowledged that a mid-race swap remains an option if his condition requires it. He said, “No, it is possible. We’ve gone through all that, and we have a lot of good options with him.”
Looking ahead to the decision, he explained, “I’m just going to see how I feel. I’ve got more medical and physical tests to get through next week. I’ll see how those go and make a decision on what’s best for the team.”
His Daytona performance gives him early momentum as he continues recovery and prepares for the next stretch of races.
Brad Keselowski Will Have Joey Hand Available For Next Weekend At COTA
