Connor Zilisch Speaks After Watkins Glen Accident
With a smile and his left arm in a sling, Connor Zilisch returned to Watkins Glen International on Sunday, sharing details about his concerning fall in the victory lane area. After winning the Xfinity race on Saturday, Zilisch suffered a fall while trying to celebrate on his No. 88 Chevrolet. The 19-year-old driver was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a broken collarbone. Trackhouse Racing decided to withdraw the No. 87 Chevrolet that Zilisch was scheduled to drive in Sunday’s Cup race at Watkins Glen.After his sixth victory of the season, Zilisch realized the seriousness of the situation immediately after the incident in the victory lane, a place typically filled with celebrations and jubilation. “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 make it to today’s race.” Now, the unknown 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 determine what the next steps will be,” added Zilisch. Zilisch has proven to be a fast healer this season. After a one-race absence 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 mentioned that his Trackhouse teammate, Shane van Gisbergen, “got an implant 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 that, 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 to everyone who reached out and wished me the best. I appreciate it very much.”
Connor Zilisch
