NASCAR Xfinity Series points leader Connor Zilisch suffered a broken collarbone in a freak accident during his victory lane celebration on Saturday at Watkins Glen International in New York. The 19-year-old driver had just secured his sixth win of the season when the incident occurred.
After taking the checkered flag in his No. 88 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports team, Zilisch attempted to climb onto the roof of his car to celebrate. In a video shared by Speedway Digest, Zilisch can be seen slipping from the driver’s side window after his left foot appeared to get caught in the window netting. He tumbled headfirst to the ground in front of stunned fans and crew members.
Immediate Medical Attention
NASCAR officials said Zilisch was placed on a backboard and transported to the track’s medical center before being taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. He was “awake and alert” throughout the process.
Several hours later, Zilisch addressed the incident on social media:
“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. Grateful it wasn’t any worse.”
The young driver also expressed his appreciation for the medical staff’s quick response.
Impact on Upcoming Races
As a result of the injury, Trackhouse Racing withdrew the No. 87 Chevrolet that Zilisch was scheduled to drive in Sunday’s Cup Series race at Watkins Glen. His next planned Xfinity Series start is set for August 22 at Daytona International Speedway, though his participation will depend on recovery.
Eventful Day on the Track
Before the fall, Zilisch’s race had already been dramatic. Starting from the pole, he collided with teammate Shane van Gisbergen while battling for the lead on Lap 65. After being bumped back to fifth position on a restart, Zilisch fought his way back to the front, reclaiming the lead with four laps to go and securing the win.
“He did such a great job of getting back through the field and getting the lead,” crew chief Mardy Lindley told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “Praying for Connor right now that he’s OK. I think he’s going to be fine.”
Not His First Injury This Season
Earlier this year, Zilisch missed a race at Texas Motor Speedway after sustaining a back injury in a crash at Talladega Superspeedway. Since returning, he has posted 11 consecutive top-five finishes and five victories, cementing his status as one of NASCAR’s most promising young talents.
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