Connor Zilisch near miss NASCAR celebration became a major talking point after his latest victory at Gateway on Saturday, when his post-race antics nearly led to a dangerous situation on track. While celebrating his ninth Xfinity Series win of 2025 and securing the regular season championship, Zilisch narrowly avoided colliding with a cameraman as he performed donuts and burnouts, leaving the NASCAR community alarmed over safety concerns.
A Close Call During Gateway Celebrations Raises Alarms
At just 19 years old and driving for JR Motorsports, Zilisch has been on a remarkable run, claiming his fourth consecutive victory and his seventh in eight rounds. However, his recent celebrations have drawn more scrutiny than praise. Shortly after breaking his collarbone during a Watkins Glen celebration just weeks prior, the young driver was involved in another scare — this time coming perilously close to a cameraman stationed near the track as he spun his car in celebration.
Witnesses expressed relief that no one was injured, highlighting how easily the situation could have turned tragic. The incident emphasized the inherent dangers in on-track celebrations, especially with media personnel in close proximity. The gateway location and the high stakes of the Xfinity Series added to the tension of the moment, accentuating concerns for both participants and crew.
Fan Reaction Highlights Concerns About Track Safety
The incident prompted significant backlash on social media and within the wider NASCAR community. Fans and observers expressed disbelief at the apparent lack of precaution, especially given the recent history of risky celebrations. One fan said,
“Under no circumstances should a damn TV camera guy be on a HOT race track. It’s absurd.”
—fan
Another spectator echoed concerns about the presence of interviewers on active tracks, stating,
“It’s a hot track. There is no reason the camera guy or the interviewer couldn’t have been behind the wall. This start/finish interview is played out and stupid.”
—fan
A third offered a suggestion to improve safety during winner interviews, writing,
“We officially need to get rid of the camera guy on the frontstretch. God, that could’ve ended HORRIBLY. Take winner interviews BACK TO VICTORY LANE WHERE THEY BELONG.”
—fan
The detailed account of the celebration, which involved backing the car into the inside wall, aggressive burnouts, and Zilisch exiting through the roof hatch before sliding off the windshield, further fueled the discussion.
“Another eventful victory celebration for Connor Zilisch. Almost wiped out the camera guy on the frontstretch. Backed his left rear into the inside wall. Burned it down. Came out of the roof hatch and then slid down his windshield off the car. pic.twitter.com/QNNKk3TZ7Q”
—Steven Taranto, reporter
The intensity of reactions reflects a larger conversation around how NASCAR can better protect on-track staff and prevent hazardous scenarios after races conclude.
Zilisch’s Focus Remains on Winning, Not on Breaking Records
Despite the controversy and increased attention from his post-race antics, Zilisch remains committed to performance on the track. With his win at Gateway, he is now 59 points above the playoff elimination line, entering the postseason as a front-runner. The historical context adds another layer: Kyle Busch holds the season win record in the Xfinity Series with 13 victories in 2010, and Zilisch still has eight races to potentially challenge that feat.
Yet, the No. 88 Chevy driver addressed the subject of records directly:
“Yeah, I’m not chasing records, but I show up to the track every week and want to win. So yeah, I hope I get to 13 but it’s not like my season’s going to be a disaster if I don’t get there. I don’t really look at those things.”
—Connor Zilisch, Driver
Zilisch’s focus is clearly on maintaining his momentum and reaching Victory Lane as often as possible, rather than stressing over setting new records. His approach underlines his competitive mindset and eagerness to deliver strong results for JR Motorsports and Chevy throughout the rest of the season.
Incident Fuels Safety Debate as Playoffs Approach
The near-miss involving the cameraman has reignited debates about NASCAR’s procedures during post-race celebrations. With heightened scrutiny from fans and professionals alike, the organization may be prompted to reevaluate policies regarding media access and the placement of personnel during these often-chaotic moments.
As the season moves toward its decisive playoff rounds, the spotlight on Connor Zilisch shows no sign of dimming. His rapid rise as a driver and the ongoing discussion around celebration safety ensure that both his on-track achievements and post-race conduct will continue to shape conversations within the sport.
