WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch, who leads the season points standings in the second-tier Xfinity Series, broke his collarbone Saturday after a hard fall in victory lane at Watkins Glen International.
After his series-leading sixth victory, Zilisch was climbing onto the roof of his MR Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet to celebrate. He slipped after apparently getting his left foot caught in the driver’s side window netting and tumbled awkwardly onto the asphalt.
The 19-year-old Zilisch was taken on a backboard to the trackside medical center and then transported to a hospital for further evaluation. He posted on social media two hours later that he had a broken collarbone, but that CT scans showed no head injury.
“Thank you everybody for reaching out today,” Zilisch posted. “I’m out of the hospital and getting better already. Thankful for all the medics for quick attention and grateful it wasn’t any worse.”
Trackhouse Racing withdrew the No. 87 Chevrolet that Zilisch had been scheduled to drive in the top-tier Cup Series race Sunday at Watkins Glen. Zilisch’s next Xfinity Series start is scheduled for Aug. 22 at Daytona International Speedway.
The scary incident capped an eventful day for Zilisch, who is a full-time driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team in the Xfinity Series and has made three starts in the part-time Cup Series entry for Trackhouse, which has three full-time cars.
After starting Saturday’s race in pole position, Zilisch wrecked teammate Shane van Gisbergen while battling for the lead on the 65th lap. After being bumped from the lead to fifth on a restart, Zilisch retook first and led the final four laps.
“He did such a great job of getting back through the field and getting the lead,” crew chief Mardy Lindley told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio after the race. “Praying for Connor right now that he’s OK. I think he’s going to be fine.”
Zilisch missed a race earlier this season at Texas Motor Speedway after injuring his back during a crash at Alabama’s Talladega Superspeedway. He has posted 11 consecutive top-five finishes and five wins in Xfinity Series race since his return.