Erik Jones, driver of the No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Chevrolet, suffered a spinal fracture in a multi-car crash at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April 23, 2024. The incident occurred on Lap 156 of the race, when Jones’ car was turned nose-first into the outside retaining wall by Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin. Jones was transported to UAB University Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was evaluated and released. However, further examination revealed the spinal fracture, which will keep him out of Sunday’s race at Dover Motor Speedway.
Jones was initially evaluated at the infield care center at Talladega, but was transported to hospital after complaining about back pain. The Legacy Motor Club driver was in a state of shock and didn’t have a clear memory of the crash when attempting to explain what happened.
“I don’t know, the No. 23 was pushing us there,” he said. “We were pushing and shoving to try and make time on our strategy and I got sideways getting into three and tried to gather it up and then ended up hard into the wall.”
“I’m sore, it just really stretched it out a lot,” Jones added when being asked about his condition. “So, it’ll be a long week, just trying to get recovered and feeling better for next week. But I’m alright.”
The damage was worst than first feared, but Jones was in positive spirits despite being given the bad news. Heim will take the wheel, meaning he will race twice at Dover as he’s listed to drive in the Xfinity race in the Sam Hunt Racing No. 26 car.
