Erik Jones, driver for Legacy Motor Club, will be forced to sit out this weekend's race at Dover Motor Speedway due to a compression fracture in his back sustained during a crash at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday. Jones' absence will open the door for reserve driver Corey Heim, who will make his Cup debut in the No. 43 car.

In a video posted on social media platforms, Jones expressed his disappointment at not being able to compete at Dover. He mentioned that he would be taking his recovery on a week-by-week basis and hopes to return to the car as soon as possible. The team disclosed that Jones suffered the injury in a lower vertebra.

Despite his absence, Jones plans to be present at the track on Sunday to support his team and provide assistance to Heim. Legacy team co-owner Jimmie Johnson emphasized that Jones' long-term health is their main priority and that they will give him the necessary time to recover properly.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Corey Heim, who competes full time in NASCAR's truck series, will seize the opportunity to showcase his skills in the Cup race. Heim has an impressive record in the truck series with six wins and 23 top-5 finishes in 48 starts, currently ranking second in the standings. He has also made appearances in the Xfinity Series and will be competing in both series at Dover.

Dover Motor Speedway is known for its fast 1-mile banked concrete oval track, which poses a significant challenge for drivers experiencing back pain. However, Heim is determined to make the most of this opportunity and prove himself behind the wheel of Legacy Motor Club's No. 43 car.

The accident at Talladega occurred when Jones was turned by Bubba Wallace, potentially due to a push from Jones' teammate John Hunter Nemechek. The incident took place with 34 laps remaining in the race. Following the crash, Jones was initially released from the infield medical center but later returned and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

Jones expressed soreness after the accident, acknowledging that it would be a long week of recovery. However, he remains optimistic and determined to bounce back stronger. Jones currently sits 64 points outside the playoff cutoff, but has been granted a waiver by NASCAR to remain playoff eligible despite not starting all the races. Upon his return, Jones will likely need to secure a race win to secure his playoff spot.

NASCAR has taken Jones' car back to its research and development center to assess its safety performance during the crash. The incident has brought attention to Toyota's strategy of pushing hard to force competitors on a fuel conservation strategy to use more fuel.

"We were pushing and shoving and trying to make time with our strategy, and I got pretty sideways getting into Turn 3," Jones explained regarding the accident. "It's unfortunate... I guess if you're going to be dumb, you've got to be tough, so we'll keep rolling."

Jones, along with Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin, were unable to continue after their cars sustained damage during the crash. Wallace admitted that they didn't execute their planned strategy as effectively as they wanted.

As Corey Heim prepares for his Cup debut at Dover, all eyes will be on the young talent as he aims to make a strong impression. Erik Jones, on the other hand, will focus on his recovery and work towards making a triumphant return to the track.