Erik Jones Will Miss Race At Dover With Spinal Fracture Following Nasty Crash At Talladega

Legacy Motor Club has announced that driver Erik Jones will not be behind the wheel of the No. 43 Toyota Camry at this weekend's race at Dover thanks to a broken back he sustained Sunday at Talladega.

The crash took place on Lap 157 of the Geico 500. Jones was drafting with a bunch of fellow Toyotas when he got turned in Turn 3 thanks to a not-so-great push somewhere in that line that sent him into the wall exactly how you don't want to go into the wall at 200 mph: nose first.

The wreck reminded some of the crash that killed NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt during the 2001 Daytona 500. It sure looked like it, but fortunately, today's cars are much safer than they were back then.

Unfortunately, Jones still took quite a hit and mentioned that he wasn't feeling great during an interview after leaving the infield care center. He then went back to the care center and was taken to a hospital in nearby Birmingham.

On Tuesday he revealed that he suffered a spinal fracture that will cause him to miss the race at Dover — though he will be at the track — and will be replaced in the No. 43 by Corey Heim.

"Learning a little bit further, I've got a spinal fracture that is gonna keep me out of the car fo Dover," Jones said. "We're going to be taking it week-by-week."

Legacy M.C. elaborated in a statement that the injury was diagnosed by a specialist upon Jones' return to Charlotte, and that it is a compression fracture of his lower vertebra.

"Erik’s long-term health is our number one priority," Legacy M.C. co-owner Jimmie Johnson said in a statement. "It will be great to see him at the track Sunday and we intend to give him the time it takes to recover properly. I know Corey will do a great job behind the wheel for the CLUB. In the meantime, our thoughts are with Erik and his wife Holly - they have our total support."

The team says it plans to apply for a medical waiver that will keep Jones eligible for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.