Keselowski uncertain whether he’ll be able to race at COTA

Brad Keselowski remains focused on one NASCAR race weekend at a time, but is aware that the upcoming first road course race of the season will be a big hurdle.

“I’m going to get through this weekend and see how it goes before making a decision on (Circuit of The Americas),” Keselowski said on Saturday. “But I’m feeling good for Atlanta.”

The driver and co-owner of RFK Racing is still recovering from a broken right femur. Keselowski slipped on ice while on a family ski vacation on Dec. 18 and had to undergo surgery before beginning rehabilitation. The surgery was successful, but it kept Keselowski from being immediately ready to race.

After sitting out the exhibition Clash event at Bowman Gray Stadium earlier this month, Keselowski went through a medical evaluation test at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He was cleared to return to NASCAR competition and returned to the driver’s seat for all Daytona events.

Keselowski made it through the Daytona 500 no worse for wear, even after being involved in a last-lap crash. Sunday’s event at EchoPark Speedway is another superspeedway-style race.

“Atlanta’s going to ramp up the intensity,” Keselowski said. “It’s not necessarily a faster racetrack, but since it’s smaller, you carry a log more G-forces here. So, it’s a little bit more of a physical workload. COTA next weekend will be a big challenge.”

Keselowski previously revealed that Joey Hand will be his backup driver next weekend in Austin, Texas. Hand is a world-renowned road course racer with victories that include the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Daytona, as well as the 12 Hours of Sebring.

“We’re glad to have him,” Keselowski said. “He’s the Ford reserve driver for all the road courses, and he’s won all the big races that you can win across the globe. A great guy, too. He’s been very helpful.”

There is a bit of a size difference between Keselowski and Hand, but Keselowski said he could turn the car over to Hand if need be. Keselowski would get the points if he starts the race at COTA and Hand finishes it.

“We’ve kind of run through all that,” he said, “and we got a lot of good options with him.”

One of the biggest variables in Keselowski’s recovery is fatigue, given the amount of soreness he has experienced as his rehab continues to ramp up. The goal has been to reduce the soreness going forward. But for now, the goal remains to race next weekend and hopefully go the distance.

“I’m going to see how I feel,” Keselowski said. “I’ve got more tests next week to get through – a medical test and a physical test. I’ll probably see how those go and make a decision on what’s best for the team.”