Connor Zilisch Suffers Fracture at Watkins Glen After Victory Celebration

Connor Zilisch Suffers Injury After Celebrating Victory at Watkins Glen

The points leader in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Connor Zilisch, suffered a broken collarbone after a fall in the celebration area of Watkins Glen International. After securing his sixth win of the season, Zilisch attempted to climb onto the roof of his No. 88 Chevrolet to celebrate. However, he slipped, apparently with his left foot getting caught in the driver’s side window net, and fell hard onto the asphalt. Zilisch, 19, was taken on a stretcher to the track’s medical center and then to a hospital for a more thorough evaluation. Two hours later, he posted on X that he had fractured his collarbone and that the CT scans showed no head injuries.

Thank you all for reaching out today. I’m out of the hospital and improving. Grateful to all the doctors for their quick attention and thankful it wasn’t worse.

Connor Zilisch

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1954351856035197346

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

The incident ended a hectic 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 get back on the field and take the lead. Praying for Connor right now that he will be okay. I think he will be okay.

Mardy Lindley, team leader

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