Connor Zilish broke his collarbone following a frightening fall while celebrating his NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Watkins Glen on Saturday. After his victory, Zilish climbed atop his car to celebrate as is customary, but he slipped, causing his head to hit the concrete. He was quickly attended to by medical personnel and was moved from Gurney’s victory lane for further care.
Zilish was taken to a nearby hospital, where he confirmed via Twitter that he had suffered a broken collarbone but had a clean CT scan of his head. Despite the injury, his father Jim managed to keep a lighthearted attitude about the incident.
At just 19 years old, Zilish is considered one of NASCAR’s brightest young talents and excels on road courses. Saturday’s triumph at Watkins Glen marked his sixth Xfinity Series win this season, placing him high in the points standings. Unfortunately, his injuries are expected to sideline him for several upcoming races. He races for JR Motorsports, a team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller, driving the No. 2 car.
This is not Zilish’s first injury this season; earlier in the year at Talladega, he suffered a hip injury after crashing into the inner wall and missed a race. Zilish was slated to compete in Trackhouse Racing’s Sunday Cup Series event, but his No. 87 car withdrew following his accident. With Daniel Suarez departing the team at the end of the season, Trackhouse is likely to promote Zilish to a full-time Cup Series driver in 2026.
Fan Take: This incident highlights both the risks and resilience inherent in NASCAR, reminding fans of the high stakes these young drivers face. Zilish’s potential full-time promotion could inject fresh energy and excitement into the sport, especially as fans watch his recovery and return to competition.
