NASCAR’s shining star Connor Zilisch had faced a broken collarbone after an awful accident during the celebration of his Xfinity Series victory at Watkins Glen.
The young driver had just bagged another stunning win and pulled into victory lane. Following tradition, Zilisch climbed to the top of his car to celebrate with supporters and the team. However, the moment quickly took aungly turn after he lost his footing balance, slipped, and tumbled headfirst onto the concrete.
Trackside medical personnel rushed to his aid, and he was transported from victory lane on a gurney. He was later taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Zilisch updated his fans on social media later in the evening, reassuring them that he was recovering and grateful the incident wasn’t more severe.
“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,” Zilisch posted.
His father, Jim Zilisch, also chimed in with a lighthearted comment, writing, “Silver lining. Pooping himself is no longer his most embarrassing moment.”
Zilisch has quickly made a name for himself as one of NASCAR’s most promising young talents, particularly known for his skill on road courses. Saturday’s victory at Watkins Glen marked his sixth Xfinity Series win of the 2025 season, solidifying his lead in the championship standings.
However, the injury will likely sideline him for multiple races, posing a setback to his dominant campaign. Zilisch competes for JR Motorsports, the No. 2 NASCAR series team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time Zilisch has been forced to the sidelines this season. Earlier in the year, while battling for the win at Talladega, his car slammed head-first into the inside wall on the backstretch, resulting in a lower back injury that caused him to miss a race.
The injury also means Zilisch will miss his scheduled NASCAR Cup Series start for Trackhouse Racing on Sunday. His No. 87 entry has been withdrawn from the event. Trackhouse, which is expected to promote Zilisch to a full-time Cup Series seat in 2026 following Daniel Suarez’s departure, will now need to adjust its plans for the weekend.
Despite the setback, Zilisch remains optimistic. His skill and determination have already positioned him as a future star in NASCAR, and his remarkable 2025 season continues to prove his potential. While his latest victory celebration ended in a painful twist, his on-track performance this year has left little doubt about his talent and resilience.
Fans will now be eagerly awaiting updates on his recovery timeline and whether he can return to defend his championship lead before the end of the season.
