Connor Zilisch’s biggest NASCAR Xfinity Series victory of the year took an unexpected turn moments after the checkered flag at Watkins Glen. Just minutes after parking his No. 88 Chevrolet in Victory Lane on Saturday, Aug. 9, the JR Motorsports driver suffered a painful accident during his celebration that sent him to the hospital. The 19-year-old’s season remains alive, but the weekend’s momentum shifted instantly from triumph to concern for one of the sport’s brightest rising talents.
Key Highlights
- Zilisch won the Mission 200 at The Glen, marking his sixth victory of the season.
- He suffered a broken collarbone during his Victory Lane celebration.
- The injury occurred when he slipped and fell while exiting his race car.
- Medical staff quickly attended to him, and he was transported for further evaluation.
- Trackhouse Racing withdrew his Cup Series entry for Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen.
A Celebration Gone Wrong
In front of fans and cameras, Zilisch attempted a spirited post-race celebration. Standing with one foot on the roof of his car and the other in the window opening, he appeared to lose his balance. His left foot caught inside the cockpit, twisting sharply as he fell hard to the pavement. The young driver remained motionless at first, prompting an immediate response from safety crews. Medical personnel stabilized him on a backboard and transported him to the infield care center before he was moved to a local hospital.
Injury Update and Zilisch’s Response
Later Saturday, doctors confirmed that Zilisch had suffered a broken collarbone. Additional scans cleared him of head injuries. The driver addressed fans directly in a brief social media post.
“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.❤️” – Connor Zilisch
His update reassured supporters that his recovery is already underway, but the timing could not have been more challenging for a competitor who has been building a breakout season in NASCAR’s national ranks.
Implications for the Weekend
Saturday’s victory was Zilisch’s sixth of the Xfinity Series season and further solidified his reputation as one of NASCAR’s most promising young drivers. He is expected to make the jump to the Cup Series full-time next year. This weekend was also set to feature his debut for Trackhouse Racing in Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen, starting from 25th on the grid. That plan was scrapped when Trackhouse issued a Saturday night statement confirming it had withdrawn his entry. The move reshuffles the starting order, moving every car on the inside row behind Zilisch forward by one position.
News in Brief: Connor Zilisch’s Watkins Glen Injury
Connor Zilisch’s Watkins Glen Xfinity Series win on Aug. 9 ended abruptly when he broke his collarbone during his Victory Lane celebration. The 19-year-old fell awkwardly from his No. 88 Chevrolet, was treated by medical staff, and later released from the hospital. Scans cleared him of head injuries, and he thanked fans for their support. His injury forced Trackhouse Racing to withdraw him from Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen.
