Jones, who drives the No. 43 Legacy Motor Membership Toyota Camry, was following eventual race winner Tyler Reddick in a single-file line of seven Toyotas throughout Sunday’s race.
On Lap 157 with simply over 30 laps remaining, a push into the nook unsettled the group. The bump from behind began a chain-reaction crash that noticed Jones’ automotive hooked head-on into the skin wall. The wreck collected 4 of the seven Toyotas within the group together with Bubba Wallace, John-Hunter Nemechek, and Denny Hamlin.
Jones instantly complained about again ache over the radio however was initially checked and launched from the infield care heart. He later returned and was transported to UAB College Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, the place he underwent additional analysis from specialists. He was discharged later that evening.
Sadly, the staff has now revealed that Jones suffered a compression fracture in a decrease vertebra through the crash. He might be unable to race this weekend at Dover, however might be in attendance, per a launch from the staff. No official timeline has been set for his return.
The 27-year-old hasn’t missed a NASCAR Cup race since he joined the sequence full-time in 2016.
Corey Heim, who signed with LMC as a reserve driver previous to the season, will pilot the No. 43 in his absence. It is going to be Heim’s Cup Sequence debut. The 21-year-old has 9 begins within the Xfinity Sequence and competes full-time within the Truck Sequence, the place he has six victories.
“Erik’s long-term well being is our primary precedence,” stated Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of Legacy M.C. “It is going to be nice to see him on the observe Sunday and we intend to offer him the time it takes to get better correctly. I do know Corey will do an important job behind the wheel for the Membership. Within the meantime, our ideas are with Erik and his spouse Holly – they’ve our whole assist.”
The staff will request a medical waiver in order that Jones can stay eligible for the NASCAR Cup Sequence playoffs.