Erik Jones announces he has spinal fracture, will miss Dover after Talladega wreck

Erik Jones announced Tuesday he suffered a spinal fracture during the Lap 157 wreck during this past Sunday’s GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Jones will be sidelined for this Sunday’s Würth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Corey Heim will replace him behind the wheel of the No. 43 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club.

pic.twitter.com/IKsSKcb3ti

— Erik Jones (@Erik_Jones) April 23, 2024

“Just wanted to send out a quick message to everybody that after the attention I received in Talladega after the wreck, everybody did a great job helping me out — but learning a little bit further, I’ve got a spinal fracture that is gonna keep me out of the car for Dover this weekend. Gonna be taking it week by week here and see how things go, but hopefully be back in the car as soon as I can. Get healed up quick and right.

“But just wanted to say thanks to Legacy for supporting me during this time. I’ll be in Dover this weekend supporting Corey and the 43 car to try and get them out there and running well this weekend while I can’t be in. So, just wanted to let you guys know that I’m alright, I’m home and healing up and be back in the car soon.”

Erik Jones diagnosed with back injury after meeting with Charlotte specialists

The accident occurred after the seven remaining Toyotas came to pit road together as part of a plan to get a jump on the rest of the field. Racing in a single-file line, the group stacked up going into Turns 3 and 4. Bubba Wallace, John Hunter Nemechek and Denny Hamlin were involved along with Jones. Jones hit the outside barrier head-on and was released soon thereafter from the infield care center. He told Regan Smith of FOX Sports at the time that he was a “little sore,” but he’ll “be alright.”

Jones was later transported to the UAB University Hospital in Birmingham for further evaluation and testing before returning home to Charlotte that night. He was officially diagnosed with a compression fracture in a lower vertebra after meeting with specialists in the Charlotte area.

“Erik’s long-term health is our number one priority,” said Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of Legacy Motor Club. “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 said it will request a medical waiver for Jones to remain eligible for the 2024 Cup Series playoffs. Jones currently sits 20th in the points standings with one top-10 finish this season.

This Sunday’s race will be Heim’s Cup Series debut. The 21-year-old prospect has six CRAFTSMAN Truck Series wins, one coming this season at COTA. He has appeared in five Xfinity Series races this season, finishing a career-best P4 at Richmond.