Connor Zilisch Speaks After Watkins Glen Accident
Watkins Glen, N.Y. – Connor Zilisch, with his left arm in a sling, returned to Watkins Glen International on Sunday to talk about his spectacular crash in the victory lane. After winning the Xfinity race on Saturday at the circuit, Zilisch suffered a fall while trying to get into his No. 88 Chevrolet to celebrate the victory. The 19-year-old driver was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a broken collarbone. Trackhouse Racing withdrew the No. 87 Chevrolet that he was supposed to drive in the Cup race on Sunday at Watkins Glen.After his sixth victory of the season, Zilisch realized the seriousness of the situation immediately after the chaos began in the victory lane, where the winning team members usually celebrate and throw drinks while the driver gets out of the car. “Yes, I was getting out of the car and obviously the window net was on the door, and as soon as they started spraying water, my foot slipped,” he explained. “The last thing I remember was being halfway down and falling, so I’m glad it wasn’t worse, and that the collarbone is the extent of the injuries, but I hate that I couldn’t participate in today’s race.” The question now is whether Zilisch will be ready for the next Xfinity race on August 22 at the Daytona International Speedway. “We are still working with all the doctors to figure out what the next steps will be,” Zilisch said. He has already proven to be a fast healer this season. After missing a race at Texas Motor Speedway due to a back injury sustained in a crash at Talladega Superspeedway, Zilisch had achieved 11 consecutive top-five finishes and five wins since his return. He pointed out that his Trackhouse teammate, Shane van Gisbergen, “had to have surgery once and raced the following weekend. So I don’t know if I’ll be that fast, but I hope my young bones heal quickly and I can get back to racing as soon as possible.”“First of all, I’m okay,” Zilisch said during the Cup race broadcast. “I’m very grateful to be able to get out of this, and I guess I didn’t walk out, but I’m very grateful to be walking today and to be okay. Thanks to all the doctors who took care of me and everyone who reached out and wished me the best. I appreciate it very much.”
Connor Zilisch
