Connor Zilisch Suffers Broken Collarbone in Celebration After Watkins Glen Victory

Connor Zilisch Suffers Injury After Celebrating Watkins Glen Victory

The points leader in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Connor Zilisch, suffered a broken collarbone after an accident in Victory Lane at Watkins Glen International. After securing his sixth win of the season, Zilisch attempted to celebrate by climbing onto the roof of his No. 88 Chevrolet. However, he slipped, apparently getting his left foot caught in the driver’s side window net, and fell onto the asphalt. Zilisch, 19, was taken on a stretcher to the track’s medical center and then to a hospital for a more complete evaluation. Two hours later, through social media, he reported that he had a fractured clavicle and that the CT scans showed no head injury.

“Thanks everyone for reaching out today,” Zilisch posted. “I’m out of the hospital and already improving. Grateful to all the doctors for their quick care and grateful that it wasn’t worse.”

Connor Zilisch

Thank you everybody for reaching out today. I’m out of the hospital and getting better already. Thankfully, CT scans for my head are clear, I just have a broken collarbone. Thankful for all the medics for quick attention and grateful it wasn’t any worse.❤️

— Connor Zilisch (@ConnorZilisch) August 10, 2025

Zilisch will not be able to participate in Sunday’s Cup race at Watkins Glen. After competing in the Truck and Xfinity series in the last two days at the circuit, he was scheduled to complete a tripleheader by making his fourth Cup start this season for Trackhouse Racing. Trackhouse Racing announced that it would withdraw Zilisch’s No. 87 car from Sunday’s race.

The incident occurred on an eventful day for Zilisch, who races for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports team. After starting from the pole position, Zilisch collided with teammate Shane van Gisbergen’s car while battling for the lead on lap 65. After being pushed from the lead to fifth place on a restart, Zilisch regained first place and led the final four laps.

“He did a great job to come back and take the lead,” team principal Mardy Lindley told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio after the race. “Praying for Connor right now, that he’s okay. I think he’ll be okay.”

Mardy Lindley

Zilisch missed a race earlier this season at Texas Motor Speedway after suffering a back injury during a crash at Talladega Superspeedway. Since his return, he has achieved 11 consecutive top-five finishes and five victories.