Corey Heim IN at Dover, Erik Jones OUT After Back Injury at Dega

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Joshua Lipowski

What’s Happening?

Legacy Motor Club announced on Tuesday that Erik Jones would miss this weekend’s race at Dover Motor Speedway due to a compression fracture in his lower vertebra. In his place, Corey Heim will step in to race the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE. The team did not announce when they expect Jones to return.

NEWS: @CoreyHeim_ to substitute for @Erik_Jones in No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE for this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Dover Motor Speedway.https://t.co/L4z3AJhEuc pic.twitter.com/cVdIDq2sk6
— LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (@LEGACYMotorClub) April 23, 2024

Erik’s long-term health is our number one priority. 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.
Jimmie Johnson (Legacy Motor Club Co-Owner)

Erik Jones was injured in a late crash during last weekend’s GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. After complaining of back pain in the car, Jones got out of the car and was checked and released from the infield care center. He returned to the care center after the race and was transported to a local hospital before being released later that night.
Corey Heim is making his first career Cup Series start at Dover this weekend. He currently races full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for TRICON Garage and part-time in the Xfinity Series for Sam Hunt Racing, both Toyota outfits. Heim is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in NASCAR.
Fans are disappointed to see this, as they normally are when a driver gets injured. Many sent their well wishes to Jones while also wishing good luck to Corey Heim.

What Erik Jones Had to Say

Erik Jones posted a brief video on social media following the announcement. He expressed his gratitude for support from Legacy Motor Club along with some details on his specific injury. He described his timeline as “Week to Week”.

pic.twitter.com/IKsSKcb3ti
— Erik Jones (@Erik_Jones) April 23, 2024

I’ve got a spinal fracture that is going to keep me out of the car for Dover this weekend. Going to be taking it week-by-week to see how things go…I’ll be in Dover this weekend supporting Corey [Heim] in the No. 43 car to try to get them out there and running well this weekend while I can’t be in.
Erik Jones

Many have pointed out how back injuries can keep drivers out of the car for multiple at a time. Denny Hamlin missed 4 races in 2013 due to a compression fracture in his lower back, and Aric Almirola missed 7 races in 2017 due to a fractured T-5 vertebra. However, it’s unclear how Erik’s injury compares to these other two.

In The Stands

Karl Lambert is sending his well wishes to Erik Jones.

Checkered Bets is sad for Erik, but, he is excited to see Corey Heim racing this weekend.

Kenny Fowler also sends his well wishes while being excited for Corey Heim’s debut.

DennyDeliversYT is excited for Corey Heim.

Brad Keselowski expresses his sympathies and well wishes.

Bumblebee48 is hoping Jones gets better soon.

Well. Erik Jones is out for Dover. At least. That just sucks. Hope he gets better soon and back on track
— Bumblebee48 🐝 (@KellieBlundell) April 23, 2024

Ancient World Gaming is hoping that Jones recovers quickly.