Zilisch injury update after Watkins Glen win

Connor Zilisch, the NASCAR Xfinity Series points leader, broke his collarbone after a fall in victory lane at Watkins Glen.

Zilisch breaks collarbone after Watkins Glen Xfinity win

Connor Zilisch, the Xfinity Series points leader, captured his sixth win of the season at Watkins Glen. After climbing onto the roof of his No. 88 Chevrolet to celebrate, he slipped when his left foot allegedly got caught in the driver window netting and fell onto the tarmac. He was taken to the trackside medical center on a backboard and then transported to a hospital for evaluation. Zilisch posted on X about two hours later that he had a broken collarbone and that CT scans showed no head injury. The 19-year-old noted he is thankful for the medics and that he is getting better.

Earlier in the race, Zilisch wrecked teammate Shane van Gisbergen while battling for the lead, then regained the lead on a restart and led the final four laps. Crew chief Mardy Lindley said after the race that he was praying for Zilisch and that the young driver should be fine. It was Zilisch’s sixth Xfinity win of the season and seventh in the series. He was scheduled to race in Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen Cup Series race, but his status was unclear. This season he missed a race at Texas Motor Speedway after a back injury from a Talladega crash. He turned 19 in July.

The fall in victory lane underscores how triumph in motorsport carries real risk, even after the checkered flag. It prompts a closer look at how teams manage postrace celebrations and how young drivers cope with the tempo of a high‑volume schedule. Zilisch has risen quickly, and injuries are a harsh reminder that the sport tests both skill and resilience.

Beyond the immediate medical concern, the episode raises questions about safety culture in NASCAR. Clubs may review postrace routines and the design of equipment used in celebrations. While the sport should celebrate success, it must also protect the athletes who drive its popularity and its future.

Highlights

The road back will test more than skill.