NASCAR driver Erik Jones to miss Dover race because of broken lower vertebra

STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Erik Jones suffered a compression fracture in a lower vertebra in a wreck at Talladega and will not drive this weekend in the NASCAR Cup series race at Dover Motor Speedway.

Corey Heim will substitute for Jones in the No. 43 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club.

There is no timeline for Jones' return. He will still attend Sunday's Cup race at the Monster Mile.

The 27-year-old Jones has one top-10 finish in 10 races this season and is 20th in the points standings. Legacy will request a medical waiver for Jones to remain eligible for NASCAR's playoffs.

“Erik’s long-term health is our number one priority,” said Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of Legacy. “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.”

Late in the race at Talladega, John Hunter Nemechek appeared to get into the bumper of Bubba Wallace. Wallace then clipped Jones, which sent him smashing hard into the outside wall.

Jones took the brunt of the blow, a crash that would’ve been much worse without the sturdy cars and foamy barriers.

He was initially examined and released from the infield care center, saying “I’m a little sore, but I’m all right.” But Jones’ team announced after the race that he was transported to a hospital for further observation.

Jones returned home to North Carolina on Sunday night and met with specialists in the Charlotte area where the full extent of his injury was found.

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AP NASCAR: https://apnews.com/hub/nascar-racing