Erik Jones transported to hospital after Talladega race UPDATES
23/04/2024 21:07
UPDATE 2:
Erik Jones, driver of the No. 43 Dollar Tree ToyotaCamry XSE for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™, will not compete in this weekend‘s NASCAR Cup Series event at Dover Motor Speedway. LEGACY M.C.‘s reserve driver Corey Heim will substitute for Jones in this weekend‘s 400-mile race.
Jones was involved in a multi-car accident on Lap 157 during Sunday afternoon‘s GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway and the 27-year-old was checked and released from the track infield care center. He was then transported to UAB University Hospital in Birmingham, Ala., for further evaluation and testing. Jones returned home to North Carolina on Sunday night and met with specialists in the Charlotte area where it was determined that Jones suffered a compression fracture in a lower vertebra.
Although there has been no timeline set for Jones‘s return behind the wheel, he will be in attendance in Dover to help call the race with his crew. Heim, 21, a native of Marietta, Ga., currently competes in the NASCAR Truck Series for TRICON Garage and in the Xfinity Series for Sam Hunt Racing.
"Erik‘s long-term health is our number one priority," said Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of LEGACY M.C. "It will be great to see him at the track Sunday and we intend to give him the time it takes to recover properly. I know Corey will do a great job behind the wheel for the CLUB. In the meantime, our thoughts are with Erik and his wife Holly – they have our total support."
LEGACY M.C. will request a medical waiver for Jones to remain eligible for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
—- Legacy Motor Club —-
UPDATE: Following a crash at Talladega Superspeedway in Sunday’s GEICO 500, Erik Jones was transported to UAB University Hospital in Birmingham, Ala. As of 11:30 p.m. CT, Jones was evaluated, released, and will return home to North Carolina this evening.
— Legacy Motor Club —
ORIGINAL POST 4-21-2024: #43-Erik Jones was transported to a local hospital following the GEICO 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway Sunday.
Jones was involved in an accident on lap 156 that sent him hard into the outside wall.
He was taken to the infield car center where he was checked and released. He complained of back soreness afterwards.
He later returned to the care center where it was decided to take him to the hospital for further evaluation.
UPDATE: Following his release from the infield care center, @Erik_Jones returned to the care center at@TALLADEGA and has been transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 22, 2024
Erik Jones complained about his back on the team radio — he told us he is sore but will be all right. pic.twitter.com/QwVlLZ0RzA
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 21, 2024
NASCAR will take the Jones’ car back to the R&D center for further evaluation.
