Connor Zilisch – NASCAR Star Connor Zilisch Breaks Collarbone in Victory Lane Fall After Watkins Glen Win (Video)

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – NASCAR Xfinity Series points leader Connor Zilisch suffered a broken collarbone after a frightening fall during post-race celebrations following his victory at Watkins Glen International.

The 19-year-old rising star, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, had just secured his sixth win of the season in the Mission 200 at The Glen when the accident occurred. While climbing onto his car’s roof in victory lane, Zilisch’s foot got caught in the window netting, causing him to slip and fall hard onto the asphalt.

Injury Details & Immediate Response

Zilisch was quickly attended to by medical personnel, placed on a backboard, and transported to the trackside medical center before being taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.

About two hours later, Zilisch took to X (formerly Twitter) to update fans: Connor Zilisch

“Thank you everybody for reaching out today. I’m out of the hospital and getting better already. Thankful for all the medics for quick attention and grateful it wasn’t any worse.”

Medical scans confirmed a broken collarbone but ruled out any head injuries, providing some relief to fans and his team.

Impact on NASCAR Schedule -Connor Zilisch

Due to the injury, Trackhouse Racing withdrew the No. 87 Chevrolet that Zilisch was supposed to drive in Sunday’s Cup Series race at Watkins Glen. His next scheduled Xfinity Series race is August 22 at Daytona International Speedway.

Dramatic Race & Controversial Moment

The victory was hard-fought for Zilisch, who started from the pole position but faced challenges mid-race. On Lap 65, he collided with teammate Shane van Gisbergen while battling for the lead, sparking controversy. After dropping to fifth on a restart, Zilisch fought back to reclaim the lead in the final four laps.

Crew chief Mardy Lindley praised his resilience:

“He did such a great job getting back through the field and getting the lead. Praying for Connor right now that he’s OK. I think he’s going to be fine.”

Previous Injury Concerns

This isn’t Zilisch’s first injury setback this season. He missed a race at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this year after a back injury from a crash at Talladega Superspeedway. Despite the challenges, he has been on a dominant streak, securing 11 consecutive top-five finishes and five wins since his return.

Fans Rally Behind Zilisch

The NASCAR community has shown immense support for the young driver, flooding social media with well-wishes. His determination and talent continue to make him one of the sport’s most exciting prospects.

Stay tuned for updates on Zilisch’s recovery and return to the track.