Veteran NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin has commented on the recent Connor Zilisch injury recovery update, comparing his own physical resilience to that of the younger racer after Zilisch suffered a broken collarbone at Watkins Glen. Hamlin, currently among the NASCAR Cup Series‘ oldest active competitors, reflected on how age impacts his ability to recover and the challenges faced by both seasoned and emerging drivers.
Hamlin Recognizes the Toughness of Young Drivers
After the retirements of Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin has become one of the senior figures in the NASCAR Cup Series, continuing to compete at a high level despite the physical toll of racing at age 44. He acknowledged the increasing difficulty of recovering from injuries, stressing that setbacks now would likely keep him out of competition far longer than before. Speaking about the incident in which Connor Zilisch sustained a broken collarbone while celebrating in victory lane, Hamlin recounted how quickly Zilisch bounced back, appearing at the next race with a neck strap aiding his recovery—a response that underscored the resilience of younger athletes.
During his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin described his intense reaction upon witnessing the mishap:
“I watched it and I was like, ‘Oh my god.’ I’m genuinely concerned. First thing I thought, and I told Jordan this, I say, ‘Oh man, that’s a collarbone-breaker right there.’ You fall just right there. And sure enough, he broke that.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Hamlin reflected on the severity of the fall, articulating how his years would make recovery far more challenging than it was for Zilisch:
“But I thought he snapped his leg. I thought he had a concussion. It was just violent. I’d still be in the hospital. I mean to be young again, holy c**p. There’s no way. I don’t think I’m ever going to stand on top of my car again.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Currently, Zilisch’s ongoing rehabilitation is under the guidance of medical specialists. With the Xfinity Series scheduled for a break this weekend, Zilisch has a crucial two-week period to heal before the Daytona event—a window that may prove pivotal in his bid for a championship. Meanwhile, Hamlin prepares for the Richmond race, aiming for his fifth win of the season.
A Humorous Exchange Offers Relief
After the scary incident, Connor Zilisch’s father, Jim Zilisch, utilized humor to reassure the community that his son was on the mend. After confirming on Facebook that the 19-year-old was safe, Jim posted a lighthearted message on X, referencing his son’s most embarrassing moments:
“Silver lining. Pooping himself is no longer his most embarrassing moment.”
—Jim Zilisch, Father of Connor Zilisch
This public display of reassurance provided Hamlin with a sense of ease, as he had been deeply concerned for the younger driver’s well-being:
“It gave me a little sense of like, ‘Okay, he’s going to be fine.’ If his dad’s joking around on social media, it gave me at least a breath of like, ‘All right, I think he’s going to be okay,'”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
The timing of Zilisch’s recovery is critical; despite being eager to compete, he previously missed the Texas Motor Speedway race earlier in the season after sustaining a back injury in a Talladega Superspeedway crash. If his recovery does not progress quick enough for Daytona, this would be the second race he would have to miss this year.
What the Road Ahead May Hold for Zilisch and NASCAR
Connor Zilisch’s journey back to racing highlights the physical risks involved in professional motorsports and the importance of recovery periods overseen by medical professionals. With the clock ticking before Daytona, both expectations and concern hover over Zilisch’s return and its implications for his championship goals. As for Denny Hamlin, his reflections underscore how experience, age, and resilience all shape the narrative of a driver’s career in the high-stakes world of NASCAR, where each incident can shift futures both on and off the track.
