Connor Zilisch Thanks for the Support After Accident at Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen, N.Y. – Connor Zilisch, with his left arm in a sling, returned to Watkins Glen International on Sunday to discuss his spectacular fall in the celebration area after his victory on Saturday. After winning the Xfinity race at the circuit, Zilisch suffered a fall while trying to celebrate in his No. 88 Chevrolet. The 19-year-old was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a broken collarbone. Trackhouse Racing withdrew the No. 87 Chevy that he was supposed to drive in the Cup race on Sunday.After his sixth victory of the season, Zilisch realized something was wrong immediately after the chaos began in the celebration area, 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 and falling, so I’m glad it wasn’t worse, and that the clavicle is the extent of the injuries, but I hate that I couldn’t make it to 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 determine what the next steps will be,” added Zilisch. He has already 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 in 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 in action 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 everyone who contacted me and wished me the best. I appreciate it very much.”
Connor Zilisch
