WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Connor Zilisch, the current NASCAR Xfinity Series points leader, sustained a broken collarbone on Saturday after a severe fall in the victory lane at Watkins Glen International. The incident occurred moments after the 19-year-old driver secured his series – leading sixth victory of the 2025 season. His celebration, which involved climbing onto the roof of his No. 88 Chevrolet, ended abruptly when he slipped and fell onto the asphalt, necessitating immediate medical attention.
The fall took place as Zilisch was performing a common celebratory gesture among race winners, attempting to stand atop his vehicle. Accounts from the scene and circulating videos indicate that he seemed to get his left foot caught in the driver’s side window netting. This entanglement resulted in an awkward, head – first fall onto the pavement below, a jarring sight that immediately drew concern from onlookers and medical personnel.
Following the sudden fall, medical staff quickly converged on Zilisch in the victory lane. He was promptly attended to by paramedics and was subsequently transported from the scene on a backboard and then loaded onto a gurney. An ambulance transferred him to the trackside medical center for initial assessment before he was moved to a local hospital for further comprehensive evaluation. NASCAR confirmed during this period that Zilisch was “awake and alert,” offering a measure of reassurance amid the immediate concern.
Approximately two hours after the incident, Zilisch turned to X, formerly known as Twitter, to provide an update on his condition. He confirmed the severity of his injuries and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support. Zilisch posted, “Thank you, everybody, for reaching out today. I am out of the hospital and am getting better already. Thankfully, the CT scans of my head are clear; I just have a broken collarbone. I am thankful to all the medics for their quick attention and grateful that it wasn’t any worse.” This direct communication from the driver offered clarity and relief to a concerned racing community.
Further details emerged on Sunday when Zilisch provided additional comments during a broadcast of the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen. He offered a more specific account of the fall, stating, “First of all, I’m doing okay.” He added, “I am very grateful to be able to walk away from that, and I guess I didn’t walk away, but I am very grateful to be walking today and to just be all right.” Describing the mechanics of the fall, Zilisch explained, “Yeah, I was climbing out of the car, and obviously, the window net was on the door. As soon as they started spraying water, my foot slipped. And the last thing I remember was being halfway down and falling. So, I am glad it wasn’t any worse, and that the collarbone is the extent of the injuries, but I hate that I couldn’t make it to the race today.”
The injury had an immediate and significant impact on Zilisch’s racing schedule. Trackhouse Racing, for which Zilisch was scheduled to make a Cup Series start, announced on Saturday evening that they would withdraw his No. 87 Chevrolet from Sunday’s Cup race at Watkins Glen. This decision meant that Zilisch, who had already competed in Truck and Xfinity Series races at the road course over the preceding days, would not be able to complete his scheduled triple – header weekend.
Looking ahead, Zilisch’s next scheduled appearance in the Xfinity Series is set for August 22 at Daytona International Speedway. However, the exact timeline for his return remains uncertain following the collarbone injury. Zilisch himself noted that he and his team were “working with all the doctors to determine what the next steps will be,” implying that the recovery process could potentially lead to him missing multiple upcoming races, a significant setback for the points leader.
The celebratory fall, though unfortunate, punctuated what had already been an exceptionally eventful day for Zilisch, who drives for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s prominent JR Motorsports team. His day began with a strong performance, as he started the Mission 200 from the pole position, showcasing his speed and setting an assertive tone for the race. The path to his sixth victory was far from straightforward, demonstrating both his competitive spirit and his ability to overcome on – track adversity.
During Lap 65 of the race, Zilisch was involved in a notable incident with his teammate, Shane van Gisbergen, while the two were fiercely battling for the lead. This contact highlighted the intense competition inherent in the Xfinity Series. Despite being bumped from the lead to fifth position after a subsequent restart, Zilisch showcased his remarkable race craft and determination. He swiftly regained the lead, dominating the final four laps to clinch a hard – fought victory.
Mardy Lindley, Zilisch’s crew chief, shared his initial thoughts on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio following the race, prior to the full extent of the injury being widely known. Lindley lauded Zilisch’s on – track performance, stating, “He did such a great job of getting back through the field and taking the lead.” Expressing immediate concern for his driver’s well – being after the fall, Lindley added, “Praying for Connor right now that he’s okay. I think he’s going to be fine,” reflecting the hopes of the entire team.
This latest victory at Watkins Glen has further solidified Zilisch’s commanding position atop the Xfinity Series standings, firmly establishing him as a bona fide championship contender in the 2025 season. His performance throughout the year has been nothing short of remarkable, characterized by a statistical run that has drawn comparisons to some of the most impressive in Xfinity Series history. He has rapidly emerged as one of NASCAR’s brightest and most promising young stars.
Zilisch’s six victories this season include the recent win at Watkins Glen, alongside earlier triumphs at Circuit of the Americas in March, Pocono, Sonoma, Dover, and Indianapolis. His consistency has been equally impressive; since his return to racing at Charlotte in May, he has achieved an extraordinary streak of 11 consecutive top – five finishes. This sustained elite – level performance has underscored his exceptional skill and adaptability across various track types.
Notably, this broken collarbone marks the second significant injury Zilisch has sustained this season. Earlier in the year, he was forced to miss a race at Texas Motor Speedway. That absence followed a severe back injury sustained during a crash at Talladega Superspeedway in April, where his car slid and hit the inside wall head – first on the backstretch while he was racing for the win on the final lap. His swift and successful return from that earlier setback to embark on his current dominant streak highlights his profound resilience and determination.
Zilisch is widely regarded within the NASCAR community as one of the sport’s premier young talents, particularly recognized for his exceptional abilities as a road – course racer, a skill prominently displayed at Watkins Glen. His trajectory points towards a bright future, with widespread expectations that Trackhouse Racing is preparing to promote him to the Cup Series full – time in 2026. This potential move is anticipated to coincide with Daniel Suarez’s expected departure from the team at the end of the current season.
The incident at Watkins Glen, though unfortunate, serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent physical demands and unpredictable nature of motorsport, even in moments of hard – won triumph. While the immediate focus remains firmly on Connor Zilisch’s recovery from his broken collarbone, his journey through an already eventful 2025 season—marked by formidable on – track achievements, a commanding lead in the Xfinity Series, and now a second significant physical setback—underscores his extraordinary resilience and unwavering determination. As he navigates this temporary hiatus in his burgeoning career, the entire NASCAR community anticipates his healthy return, eager to witness the continued rise of one of its most promising talents as he aims to resume his championship pursuit and solidify his future aspirations in the Cup Series, building on the impressive foundation he has already laid.
