NASCAR Won’t Limit Celebrations After Zilisch’s Victory Lane Fall

NASCAR Will Not Implement Restrictions on Celebrations Despite Connor Zilisch’s Accident

NASCAR has confirmed that it has no plans to restrict driver celebrations, despite the recent incident involving Connor Zilisch, an Xfinity series driver, who suffered a broken collarbone after a fall in Victory Lane. Mike Forde, NASCAR’s communications director, addressed the issue on the “Hauler Talk” podcast, released on Wednesday, where he clarified that certain precautions will be taken in Victory Lane, but no new policies will be implemented. Zilisch, after obtaining his sixth victory of the season at Watkins Glen International, tried to celebrate by climbing onto the roof of his No. 88 Chevrolet, slipping and falling onto the asphalt. The 19-year-old was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a clavicle fracture.

I’m very grateful to be out of that, and I guess I didn’t walk out, but I’m very grateful to be walking today and to be okay.

Connor Zilisch

Forde indicated that NASCAR will not prohibit drivers from getting into their vehicles in Victory Lane.

We haven’t implemented any policies or best practices or anything like that.

Mike Forde

However, NASCAR will take new precautions to avoid similar situations that lead to crashes. Forde mentioned that the pilot window net may have contributed to the incident. “We could do a review to ensure that, if it’s inside the car, it’s one less thing to slip on.”

Zilisch underwent surgery on Tuesday and his participation in the next Xfinity series race at Daytona International Speedway on August 22 is in doubt. Previously, Zilisch missed a race due to a back injury sustained in an accident at Talladega Superspeedway, for which he received a waiver. Forde did not specify whether Zilisch would receive a waiver for the playoffs in case he missed the race at Daytona.