Erik Jones slated to return to NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington after back injury

Erik Jones is among the 36 NASCAR Cup Series drivers entered into the field for this Sunday’s Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway, per Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports.

Jones has missed the last two races after suffering a spinal fracture during the Lap 157 wreck at Talladega last month. Corey Heim replaced Jones, diagnosed with a compression fracture in his lower vertebra, in the No. 43 Toyota.

Legacy Motor Club announced last week that doctors approved Jones to return behind the wheel, though he sat out of the race at Kansas out of an “abundance of caution.”

“Erik Jones has been cleared to race by doctors and approved to return by NASCAR, but out of an abundance of caution, the team has opted for Jones to rest for another event. Corey Heim will drive the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE at Kansas Speedway this weekend,” Legacy said in a statement.

“Jones will attend the race at Kansas Speedway to support crew chief Dave Elenz and the No. 43 team and plans to return to the driver’s seat next weekend at Darlington Raceway – a track where he has two NASCAR Cup Series victories.”

Jones, in his second season with Legacy, currently sits 27th in the points standings with one top-10 finish this season. Darlington has been his best track to date in the Cup Series, with two of his three career wins coming at The Lady in Black (2019, 2022). Jones has tallied seven top 10s in 12 starts at Darlington.

Corey Heim finishes up duty filling in for Erik Jones

Heim finished 25th in his Cup Series debut at Dover and 22nd at Kansas filling in for Jones. The 21-year-old was appreciative of the opportunity to get some Cup Series experience under his belt.

“Yeah, I mean, a long day for sure,” Heim said after the race at Kansas, via NBC Sports. “Got behind early from a speeding penalty and just situationally, couldn’t get on the lucky dog until the end of the race. Just struggled with track position, of course, at the end of the longest line, one lap down most of the race. But, once we got back on the lead lap in Stage 3 and freed the car up, I thought we were pretty good.

“Huge thank you to Legacy Motor Club for having me along these two weeks. Dollar Tree, Family Dollar for everything they do and their support. Definitely wish we could’ve run close to the front today, but a good learning experience and we move forward.”