NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (6) during the NASCAR Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Brad Keselowski couldn't race in NASCAR Clash even if he wanted to

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Feb 1, 2026 11:35 PM ET

Even if he wanted to, Brad Keselowski, who broke his leg in December, couldn't race in Wednesday's Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.

That's because Keselowski, the 2012 Cup Series champion and 36-time Cup Series winner and by all accounts a future Hall of Famer, is yet to renew his NASCAR license.

"I don’t currently have a valid NASCAR driver’s license," Keselowski said in a social media post on Sunday. "Scheduled to take the different tests end of the week. Must pass to drive the car at DAYTONA or anywhere else. Big week ahead."

Brad Keselowski's current situation

It was announced in January that Keselowski wouldn't compete in the exhibition race at Bowman Gray as he recovers from his leg injury. Keselowski will be ready to return for the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 15, but Corey LaJoie will pilot Keselowski's No. 6 RFK Racing Ford at Bowman Gray on Wednesday.

Short answer- NO

Long answer- I don’t currently have a valid NASCAR driver’s license. Scheduled to take the different tests end of the week. Must pass to drive the car at DAYTONA or anywhere else.

Big week ahead https://t.co/T4Us4hVjV7
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) February 2, 2026

Drivers must renew their NASCAR license on an annual basis, though ironically, a normal, state-issued driver's license isn't required to compete in NASCAR.

Assuming he's able to renew his NASCAR license at the end of this week, Keselowski will be back on track on Feb. 11 for the first of three practice sessions ahead of the 68th running of the Daytona 500.

Keselowski is looking for his first Daytona 500 win and will also be attempting to break a 59-race winless drought dating back to Darlington in May 2024.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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