Erik Jones hospitalized after returning to Talladega care center after GEICO 500 wreck

Unfortunate news after the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Erik Jones was taken to the hospital following a hard wreck today. Jones was released from the NASCAR care center and subsequently returned before being taken to the hospital.

The wreck that Erik Jones was involved in was violent. Toyota had their group of drivers on the same pit strategy. It looked like a genius plan, too. That’s when they went over the bump where the tunnel is located under the track.

The line of Toyotas got loose, John Hunter Nemechek may have pushed too hard on Bubba Wallace. Then, it all fell apart. Jones got hooked and went straight into the wall.

Jones had complained about his back hurting directly after the wreck. Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported on Jones being hospitalized.

Erik Jones has gone to the hospital for further evaluation. He had complained about his back after the accident. https://t.co/Eah3JgLsPu

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 22, 2024

Erik Jones wrecked along with a few of his Toyota teammates. It was Jones who by far took the biggest hit. Those head-on collisions into the outside wall are terrifying. If you have watched NASCAR or motorsports for a while, you know that those impacts can be the most damaging.

Even with the SAFER Barrier, these hits are violent and can do a lot of damage. It is concerning that Jones was calling out about his back while still in the car after the wreck. High speeds at Talladega can lead to hard crashes like Jones had. It’s one of the dangers of racing.

What if Erik Jones is injured?

So, Erik Jones is being evaluated further. While we hope for a speedy recovery and to see him racing in the 43 car again next week, what are the options if he misses time? Jones and Legacy Motor Club do have options depending on how they want to proceed.

Let’s just say that Jones misses at least one race. In that case, you can expect Toyota and Legacy MC to move Corey Heim into his seat. Heim is a simulator driver for 23XI Racing as well as a reserve driver for Legacy. He works closely with that team during the week on many aspects of racing.

Heim is the reserve driver, so it makes perfect sense to put him in the 43 car. However, let’s just say they don’t want to do that. Well, there is also a man named Trevor Bayne at Legacy. He is in more of a coaching and advisory role to the other drivers. Still, he’s a former Cup Series talent I’m sure they could lean on if needed.

Right now, Erik Jones is still in the driver’s seat. Until we hear otherwise, expect to see him line up at Dover next Sunday and be ready to do his job. However, don’t be shocked if there is an injury if you see Heim Time in the Cup Series.