Connor Zilisch, following recent surgery on a broken collarbone, will participate in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway this Friday, according to the latest Connor Zilisch NASCAR Xfinity injury update shared by JR Motorsports with NASCAR.com’s Zach Sturniolo. The 19-year-old Trackhouse driver was evaluated after his injury at Watkins Glen International and has now been cleared to return to competition at Daytona.
Zilisch’s Injury and Quick Recovery Timeline
Zilisch sustained his injury after falling off the top of his car during post-race celebrations at Victory Lane on August 9 at Watkins Glen International. The incident occurred when Zilisch’s left foot became caught in the window net as he exited the vehicle, leading to the fall and subsequent collarbone fracture. After undergoing surgery to repair the break, he benefited from a week off, which provided valuable recovery time ahead of the Daytona event. Team owner Justin Marks of Trackhouse indicated that the decision for Zilisch’s return would be made collectively, but the timeline has worked out so that he will miss no races.
Racing Peers Reflect on Collarbone Injuries
Shane van Gisbergen, Zilisch’s JR Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing teammate, personally reached out upon learning of the injury. Van Gisbergen, who broke his own collarbone in a mountain bike mishap in 2021, returned to racing just two weeks later. Drawing on his experience, van Gisbergen expressed confidence that Zilisch could also come back swiftly and compete at Daytona.
“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,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing driver
Van Gisbergen elaborated on the realities of racing soon after collarbone surgery, noting that despite lingering discomfort from seat belts pressing against the bone, quick returns are possible in motorsports.
“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.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing driver
Zilisch’s Championship Bid Remains on Track
Currently, Zilisch leads the NASCAR Xfinity Series points standings following his win at Watkins Glen, tallying his sixth victory of the season. He maintains a seven-point edge over teammate Justin Allgaier as the battle for the regular season championship intensifies. The quick recovery following his injury ensures Zilisch remains central in the championship race and keeps his bid for the title firmly alive.
As the series heads into Daytona, both his resilience and his status as points leader are in the spotlight, with Trackhouse, JR Motorsports, and figures like Justin Marks, Shane van Gisbergen, and Justin Allgaier all playing crucial roles in the ongoing race season and Zilisch’s remarkable recovery narrative. The motorsport community will be watching closely to see how Zilisch performs in his first event back after surgery, as the regular season championship hangs in the balance.
