Erik Jones was released from UAB University (Ala.) Hospital on Sunday night following an accident with 34 laps to go in Sunday’s Geico 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, according to Legacy Motor Club.
In a Legacy M.C. release, the team stated “Jones was evaluated, released and will return home to North Carolina this evening (Sunday).”
Jones was transported to the hospital for further evaluation after he was involved in a multi-car pileup during the last round of green flag pit stops, which saw his No. 43 Legacy Motor Club get right hooked into the turn three wall by Bubba Wallace.
Wallace had a strong push from Jones’ teammate John Hunter Nemechek and the three cars stacked up entering the corner.
A caution on Lap 157 for this incident in Turn 3. pic.twitter.com/t1I5uEen0L
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 21, 2024
The 27-year-old complained about his back over the radio following the accident.
Jones spoke to the media after initially being checked and released from the infield care center, stating, “I’m a little sore but I’ll be alright.”
“I don’t know – the 23 (Bubba Wallace) was pushing us there,” Jones said. “Obviously, we were pushing and shoving and trying to make time with our strategy and I got pretty sideways getting into (turn) 3 and tried to gather it up and then ended up really hard into the wall.
“It’s unfortunate. I hate it for my team and my guys. Obviously, we wanted to have a good run but I’m alright. It’s a good thing. It was a hard hit and at the end of the day I guess if you’re going to be dumb you’ve got to be tough, so we’ll keep rolling.”
Jones later returned to the infield care center where he was transported to the hospital. He finished 35th in the race.