JR Motorsports updates Connor Zilisch status, confirming that the Xfinity Series points leader is scheduled to compete at the Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway this Friday after undergoing collarbone surgery. Zilisch, who was injured following a post-race mishap at Watkins Glen International, has been cleared to maintain his quest for the regular season championship.
Zilisch Recovering Rapidly After Victory Lane Injury
Connor Zilisch, 19, found himself in recovery after a celebration gone wrong led to a broken collarbone following the August 9 race at Watkins Glen International. The incident occurred when he got his left foot caught in the window net while climbing out of his car in Victory Lane, causing him to fall.
Fortunately, Zilisch had a full week off between races before the start at Daytona. The decision on his return was described as a collaborative effort, as Trackhouse owner Justin Marks emphasized that medical clearance would depend on input from the team and Zilisch himself. After monitoring his progress, JR Motorsports announced that Zilisch would not miss any scheduled race time.
Support and Experience from Teammates in Recovery
Shane van Gisbergen, a Trackhouse Racing and JRM teammate, offered strong support for Zilisch based on personal experience. In 2021, van Gisbergen returned to racing just two weeks after breaking his own collarbone and additional injuries during a mountain bike accident. Upon learning of Zilisch’s setback, van Gisbergen reached out and predicted a similar quick return was likely.
“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, Driver
Describing the typical recovery process for this type of injury, van Gisbergen explained how quickly a driver could be back behind the wheel once the collarbone is stabilized. Sometimes, external hardware can even make the bone stronger, though dealing with harnesses can be uncomfortable initially.
“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, Driver
Zilisch Maintains Lead in Points After Watkins Glen
Connor Zilisch remains the NASCAR Xfinity Series points leader after his sixth victory of the season at Watkins Glen. He holds a narrow seven-point advantage over his JR Motorsports teammate, Justin Allgaier, as the season progresses toward its finals. With his rapid recovery and intent to race at Daytona, Zilisch continues to be a strong contender for the regular season championship.
Looking Ahead at Daytona and the Championship Race
The Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway will be a significant race for Zilisch as he returns to competition so soon after surgery. His resilience is likely to further energize both his team and fans. With important stakeholders like Justin Marks, Shane van Gisbergen, and Justin Allgaier involved, Zilisch’s return not only speaks to his determination but will influence the final outcome of the regular season championship in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
The focus remains on Zilisch’s health, his leadership in the standings, and JR Motorsports’ emphasis on teamwork as they chase racing glory at Daytona and beyond.
