Shane van Gisbergen understands firsthand the challenges Connor Zilisch faces after breaking his collarbone, having endured a similar injury in 2021. Van Gisbergen returned to racing just two weeks following a collarbone fracture sustained in a mountain bike accident.
Zilisch, driving for Trackhouse Racing/JR Motorsports, suffered his injury during a celebratory moment in Victory Lane at Watkins Glen International last Saturday, when he fell off the roof of his car. After hearing about Zilisch’s condition, van Gisbergen reached out immediately, confident that Zilisch could be ready for the upcoming race at Daytona International Speedway next Friday.
Van Gisbergen Details His Own Recovery and Encourages Zilisch
Van Gisbergen compared his injury to Zilisch’s, noting,
“My injury was probably worse than his. I did like my AC [joint] and three ribs as well on a mountain bike accident and then I had one week off and raced the next week, which is exactly what he’s got. He’s got Richmond off and then Daytona, so he should be fine,”
van Gisbergen explained on the Dale Jr. Download. He added,
“Your collarbone — it’s probably the best major bone you can break. You bolt it together and it’s stronger than it was. The hardest thing is putting on the belts. You feel the bolts in the collarbone through the belts and it’s just irritating and annoying.”
He also expressed optimism about Zilisch’s chances of competing soon:
“But yeah, he could — if it’s just the collarbone — he could race at Daytona or even this weekend. … I did that, broke my collarbone and raced the next race. I raced for three or four months and when we had a break, I took the plate out again and it was brand new. He can be fine. That was horrible to see. Initially, I thought he had done his knee or his ankle. Luckily, collarbone is a relatively OK bone to break.”
Zilisch Undergoes Surgery, Eager to Return to Racing
Connor Zilisch underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair his broken collarbone, benefiting from a full week off ahead of the Daytona race. Despite the injury, the 19-year-old aims to return to the car as soon as possible, with Trackhouse owner Justin Marks emphasizing that the decision will be made collectively by the team.
Zilisch currently leads the Xfinity Series points standings after securing his sixth victory of the season at Watkins Glen. He holds a narrow seven-point lead over teammate Justin Allgaier in the hunt for the regular-season championship, adding pressure to return quickly and maintain his momentum.
The Significance of Zilisch’s Recovery and Daytona Prospects
Both van Gisbergen’s experience and Zilisch’s situation highlight the resilience required to overcome serious injuries in motorsport. Given van Gisbergen’s rapid and successful comeback from a comparable collarbone break, there is hope that Zilisch can make an impactful return at Daytona International Speedway, where the stakes are high for the current points leader.
This recovery period also underscores the careful balance between athlete health and competitive drive, with Zilisch’s team opting for a measured approach before confirming his readiness to race. His comeback will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike as the Xfinity Series heads into a crucial phase of the season.
