Connor Zilisch was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a broken collarbone after falling from his car in Victory Lane, just after his win in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International.
Zilisch’s injuries forced him to miss Sunday’s Cup Series race, the Go Bowling at The Glen. Trackhouse Racing announced Saturday night that it would withdraw Zilisch’s No. 87 Chevrolet entry, wishing their driver a speedy recovery.
Zilisch was at Watkins Glen on Sunday, shown with his arm in a sling during an interview with USA Network’s crew during Stage 1. He again thanked the emergency responders, recounting his view of the incident.
“I was climbing out of the car, and obviously the window net was on the door and as soon as they started spraying water, my foot slipped and the last thing I remember was being halfway down and falling,” Zilisch said, “so glad it wasn’t any worse and that the collarbone the extent of the injuries, but I hate I couldn’t make it to the race today and give myself a shot to get a good result for Trackhouse and Red Bull.”
On Saturday, Zilisch led 60 of the 82 laps in the Mission 200, registering his sixth win of the Xfinity Series season. His celebration was abbreviated as he emerged from his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet when he suddenly fell to the ground below, losing his footing as he made a triumphant pose on the door and roof of the car.
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Medical personnel at the track placed the 19-year-old driver on a backboard, and he was loaded into an ambulance for transport to the care center at the track. The CW broadcast reported that Zilisch was alert and speaking with the safety crew.
NASCAR Communications officials later announced that Zilisch was awake and alert, but that he would be transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. JR Motorsports posted later Saturday evening that Zilisch had been released.
Zilisch posted to social media Saturday night about the nature of his injuries, indicating that his collarbone was broken and sharing his appreciation for the rapid response of safety personnel.
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. Thankful for all the medics for quick attention and grateful it wasn‘t any worse.u2764ufe0f
— Connor Zilisch (@ConnorZilisch) August 10, 2025
Zilisch was slated to make his fourth career Cup Series start in Sunday’s race at Watkins Glen, the site of his first Xfinity Series victory last September.
Zilisch leads the Xfinity Series in both wins and points in his rookie year. His victory at The Glen broke a tie atop the standings with JRM teammate Justin Allgaier, the defending series champion.
RELATED: Xfinity Series standings | Xfinity Series schedule | Watch NASCAR video highlights
The Xfinity Series resumes Aug. 22 at Daytona International Speedway, giving Zilisch an extra week to recover before the circuit’s next race. In terms of his readiness to return, Zilisch hedged when asked by USA Sports about his timetable. He did, however, mention a related story from teammate Shane van Gisbergen, who had a plate and screws inserted to remedy a broken collarbone after a mountain biking incident in March 2021.
“We’re still working with all the doctors to figure out what’s going to be the next steps, but I’ve got a little motivation from Shane, my teammate,” Zilisch said. “He had a plate put in and raced the weekend after, so I don’t know if I’ll be that quick but hopefully my young bones will heal fast and I’ll be able to get back in it as soon as possible.”
Zilisch missed a race earlier this year after suffering a lower back injury in a final-lap crash at Talladega Superspeedway in April. The injury forced him out of the Xfinity Series’ event at Texas Motor Speedway, where Cup Series regular Kyle Larson subbed in and drove his No. 88 Chevrolet to victory.