Connor Zilisch’s victory at NASCAR’s Xfinity Series on Saturday ended not with champagne showers, but a trip to the hospital after a frightening fall in Victory Lane.
The 19-year-old rising star had just secured his series-leading sixth win of the season at the Mission 200 at Watkins Glen International on Aug. 9. After a dramatic comeback — dropping from the lead to fifth during a late restart before reclaiming the best spot in the final four laps — Zilisch pulled his No. 88 Chevrolet into Victory Lane to celebrate.
Clutching a canned drink, Zilisch climbed out of the driver’s window and stepped onto the roof of his car.
But as he raised his arms to the cheering crowd, his left foot caught in the window opening. In a split second, he lost his balance, slipped, and tumbled hard to the ground.
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Footage aired by CW Sports showed Zilisch lying motionless before the broadcast cut away. NASCAR later confirmed he had been transported to a local hospital for evaluation, adding that he was “awake and alert.”
Hours later, Zilisch took to X (formerly Twitter) to update fans: “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. ??”
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 (@ConnorZilisch) August 10, 2025
The injury means Zilisch will miss Sunday’s Cup race at Watkins Glen, where he was scheduled to make his fourth Cup start of the year for Trackhouse Racing as part of a rare tripleheader weekend.
Crew chief Mardy Lindley praised Zilisch’s grit in the race and expressed hope for his recovery. “He did such a great job of getting back through the field and getting the lead,” Lindley told ESPN. “Praying for Connor right immediately that he’s OK. I think he’s going to be fine.”
TV Cuts Away After Horror Celebration Mishap Involving NASCAR’s Brightest Young Star pic.twitter.com/I9gbvWZEZO
— TMSPN.com (@sportsgossip) August 10, 2025
Though Zilisch’s celebration took an unexpected and painful turn, his Saturday win still underscored why he’s one of NASCAR’s most promising young drivers — even if, for immediately, he’ll be celebrating from the sidelines.
The post NASCAR’s Connor Zilisch Fractures Collarbone in Brutal Post-Race Fall: ‘Grateful for the Medics’ appeared first on TMSPN.
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