Connor Zilisch delivered an encouraging Connor Zilisch NASCAR injury return update after suffering a broken collarbone during post-race celebrations at Watkins Glen International over the weekend. The 19-year-old driver revealed on Sunday that although a timeline for his comeback has not been established, he is determined to get back on track as swiftly as possible.
Zilisch Discusses His Rehabilitation and Motivation
Speaking with Marty Snider of TNT Sports, Zilisch said he is still working with doctors to understand the next steps in his recovery process.
We’re still working out with all the doctors to figure out what’s gonna be the next steps,
—Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver.
Drawing inspiration from his teammate Shane van Gisbergen, who managed to return to racing just a week after a similar injury, Zilisch expressed hope for a quick recovery, stating,
But I’ve got a little motivation from Shane [van Gisbergen], my teammate, he had a plate put in and raced the weekend after. So, I don’t know if I’ll be that quick but hopefully my young bones will heal fast, and I’ll be able to get back in it as soon as possible.
—Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver.
Celebration Mishap Leads to Injury
Zilisch had been scheduled to compete in Sunday’s Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International. However, following his Saturday Xfinity Series victory, he accidentally slipped and fell from atop his car while celebrating in Victory Lane. He landed awkwardly and had to be transported to a local hospital, where it was confirmed that he had broken his collarbone. This injury forced him to miss his anticipated race appearance for Trackhouse and Red Bull.
Support from the NASCAR Community
Despite his injury, Zilisch returned to Watkins Glen within a day, appearing at the track with his arm in a sling and spending time with fellow drivers and crew members. He reflected on his condition and the incident itself with gratitude for those who helped him, saying,
Yeah, first of all, I’m doing OK,
—Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver. After expressing thanks to the medics and everyone who reached out, he shared,
Very grateful to be able to walk away from that, and I guess I didn’t walk away, but very grateful to be walking today and just be alright. Thank you to all the medics who took care of me. Everybody who reached out and wished me well, I do appreciate it a lot. And yeah, I was climbing out of the car and obviously the window net was on the door. As soon as they started spraying water, my foot slipped. The last thing I remember was being halfway down and falling.
—Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver.
He acknowledged disappointment at missing the opportunity to race, noting,
So yeah, glad it wasn’t any worse and that the collarbone is the extent of the injuries but hate I couldn’t make it to the race today and give myself a shot to go get a good result for Trackhouse and Red Bull.
—Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver.
Upcoming Races and Previous Setbacks
The NASCAR Xfinity Series is scheduled for a break next weekend, with the series resuming on August 22 at Daytona International Speedway. Notably, Zilisch has already missed one race this season due to a previous back injury, adding another layer of frustration to his current setback. Entities such as Trackhouse, Red Bull, and the broader NASCAR medical and racing community have rallied around Zilisch, emphasizing the tight-knit nature of the sport during times of adversity.
Looking Forward After Watkins Glen Incident
Zilisch’s focus remains on following medical guidance and making a strong return as soon as safely possible. The attention around his journey back to racing highlights the demanding realities of motorsports and the resilience required by young drivers to overcome physical and emotional setbacks. With support from medics, his team at Trackhouse, and encouragement from fellow competitors, Zilisch aims to recover quickly and rejoin both the Xfinity and Cup Series circuits later in the season.
