Connor Zilisch reveals nasty injury post-NASCAR race

WATKINS GLEN: NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie points leader Connor Zilisch was taken to hospital with a broken collarbone after falling from his car in Victory Lane, moments after winning Saturday’s Mission 200 at Watkins Glen International.

The 19-year-old’s injury will sideline him from Sunday’s Cup Series race, Go Bowling at The Glen. Trackhouse Racing confirmed on Saturday night that it had withdrawn Zilisch’s No. 87 Chevrolet, which had qualified 25th, and wished him a swift recovery.

Zilisch had dominated the Xfinity race, leading 60 of 82 laps to secure his sixth win of the season and move ahead of JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier in the standings. However, his celebrations were cut short when he slipped while climbing from his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, falling to the ground below.

Track medics immobilised him on a backboard before transporting him to the infield care centre. NASCAR later confirmed he was awake and alert, but would be taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. JR Motorsports later said he had been released.

On social media that evening, Zilisch confirmed his collarbone injury and thanked safety crews for their quick response. Sunday’s race was set to be his fourth Cup Series start — and at the same track where he claimed his first Xfinity win last September.

Zilisch, who has already missed a race this year due to a back injury sustained in a Talladega crash in April, continues to lead the Xfinity Series in wins and points in his debut season.

A WILD RACE DAY

Saturday’s event was filled with drama on the 2.45-mile road course, including a record 16-car crash and fierce battles at the front.

The much-anticipated duel between Zilisch and road-course ace Shane van Gisbergen began from the front row and lasted most of the day until contact between the pair with 16 laps remaining handed Zilisch the lead. Van Gisbergen placed no blame on Zilisch, saying he would need to watch the replay.

Soon after, Austin Hill clipped Zilisch’s car, briefly taking the lead before a debris caution. Eight laps later, Zilisch retook the front before a major incident involving Hill, Michael McDowell and 14 other cars brought out a lengthy red flag. McDowell escaped injury despite heavy contact with the barriers.

When racing resumed, Zilisch pulled clear to win by 2.326 seconds over Sam Mayer, with JR Motorsports’ Sammy Smith third. Hill finished fourth, followed by Carson Kvapil, Allgaier, Austin Green, Christian Eckes, Brandon Jones and Harrison Burton.

With three races left before the playoffs, Zilisch leads Allgaier by seven points. Burton holds the final playoff transfer spot, 30 points ahead of Jeb Burton and 38 clear of Ryan Sieg.

The Xfinity Series now takes a one-week break before returning on Friday, 22 August, for the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway.

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