Erik Jones Postpones Return to Racing After Talladega Accident

Erik Jones, a driver for Legacy Motor Club, has decided not to participate in the upcoming Kansas Cup race, even though he has been cleared by medical professionals and NASCAR to compete again. This decision was made as a precautionary measure, prioritizing the driver's complete health before his return to the track.

At 27 years old, Jones suffered a compression fracture in his lower spine as a result of a head-on collision at Talladega Superspeedway last month. During the race, a shove in one of the turns triggered a chain-reaction crash that ended with Jones' car slamming nose-first into the outer wall. The accident impacted several vehicles, including four of the seven Toyotas involved.

Although he was initially checked and released from the track's infield care center, Jones complained of back pain and required further evaluation at UAB University Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was treated and discharged that same night.

The 70G impact that Jones experienced forced him to miss the race at Dover, where he was replaced by Corey Heim, who made his NASCAR Cup Series debut, finishing 25th. Jones plans to return to compete at Darlington, where he has won twice at the prestigious Southern 500.

Jones, who was 20th in points after his DNF at Talladega, has dropped to 23rd after missing Dover. Despite his absence, he remains eligible for the Cup playoffs thanks to a medical waiver granted by NASCAR.