After winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Gateway on Saturday, Connor Zilisch nearly caused a serious accident during his victory celebration. Sliding down the front straightaway for a burnout, he came dangerously close to hitting a nearby cameraman, who astonishingly remained unfazed despite the close call. Zilisch, leading the series with nine wins this season, has made headlines not only for his success but for the risky nature of his post-win antics.
Freddie Kraft commented on the situation, expressing concern over Zilisch’s repeated unsafe celebrations. Kraft’s remark highlighted the growing unease about the dangers involved when a driver celebrates so vigorously on the racetrack.
F*ck, that kid can’t stop winning. He needs to stop winning, like I tweeted the other day that somebody’s going to get hurt,
Kraft said on Monday’s Door Bumper Clear podcast.
He’s falling off race cars, he almost smokes a cameraman the other day, he ripped his fire suit.
—Freddie Kraft
Austin Cindric Emphasizes the Serious Risks to Crews and Drivers
Austin Cindric weighed in with his own perspective, drawing from his experience with racetrack celebrations. He noted it is rare to see a cameraman so close to a driver before a burnout begins, underscoring how close the incident was to turning into a disaster. Cindric expressed serious concern for the safety of track personnel who are often extremely athletic but unprotected in such moments.
Yeah, I mean, really pushing the issue here, man. I think that cameraman thing shouldn’t be talked about because holy cow, that was really close,
Cindric said.
Think about that every time. I mean, those guys are — first of all — super athletic. I think he probably could have jumped that wall and been fine. But good God. … In my past experience, it’s been like already after you’ve started [your burnout], like, there he is.
—Austin Cindric
Zilisch’s Struggles to Celebrate Without Injury Continue
Zilisch’s celebrations this season have been notably eventful for the wrong reasons. After his win at Watkins Glen, he fell off the roof of his car in Victory Lane, breaking his collarbone. Since then, he has experimented with different ways to exit his car safely. Despite his efforts, Saturday’s celebration at Gateway saw him tearing his fire suit while sliding down the windshield, once again showing how difficult it has been for him to avoid incident during these moments.
Even though these issues pose challenges, they are minor compared to the risk of serious injury. Zilisch remains dedicated to finding a safe way to celebrate, but is visibly frustrated by the ongoing mishaps.
I guess I just can’t celebrate,
Zilisch admitted.
I should just get out of the car and sit on the ground because everything I do just seems to go to Hell.
—Connor Zilisch
Why Zilisch’s Celebration Safety Matters for Everyone Involved
The repeated close calls and injuries highlight a pressing concern for driver and crew safety during post-race activities. With frequent wins, Zilisch’s celebrations have become a topic of anxious discussion among peers like Austin Cindric and Freddie Kraft, who fear a serious accident could occur unless changes are made. The safety of cameramen, officials, and drivers alike depends on mindful celebration practices, especially in high-energy moments after a race.
Going forward, Zilisch’s approach to victory celebrations will be closely watched as he tries to balance his intense excitement with the need to protect those around him, including himself. This issue underscores the broader challenge within NASCAR: how to maintain the passion and joy of racing while ensuring everyone’s safety remains a top priority.
