Update on Brad Keselowski's injury: The NASCAR driver will not compete in Clash

Keselowski is still recovering from a fractured leg he sustained during a family ski trip in December.

"I'm glad Corey has this chance. In a statement announcing the change Keselowski stated "I'm laser focused on being ready for Daytona."

The 41 year old Keselowski talked extensively with Fox Sports regarding his recuperation from a broken femur that also caused some nerve damage as well as the choice to have LaJoie handle the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Grey Stadium.

"I didn't want to rush back," Keselowski stated to Fox Sports. "Together, the team and I decided that we would be ready on the day of the Clash if everything went according to plan during the rehabilitation.

"And that seemed super foolish and didn't give us any time to do any testing on myself or anything like that."

The Dayton 500 is scheduled for February 15 of this year and Keselowski is adamant about making a comeback.

It was "kind of a freak accident" when the 2012 Cup Series winner tripped and fell on ice while he was getting out of his car.

Keselowski said, "I just fell perfectly on a spot that broke my leg," to Fox Sports. "I wish there was a more exciting narrative about jumping or doing anything on the slopes instead of that.

"I think everybody thinks I did it on the slopes, which sounds a lot cooler than the actual story I have, but it just was a freak accident."

The story "Brad Keselowski injury update, latest on recovery" first appeared on USA TODAY.