NASCAR Driver Connor Zilisch Tastes Victory at Watkins Glen, Suffers Broken Collarbone in Frightening Celebration Mishap
NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Connor Zilisch Suffers Broken Collarbone in Post-Race Fall at Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen International was the site of a dramatic moment during the Mission 200 Xfinity Series race, as race-winner Connor Zilisch suffered a broken collarbone in a post-race fall.
Zilisch was celebrating his sixth win of the season and his second straight win at Watkins Glen, when he exited his car in Victory Lane. In an unfortunate turn of events, he lost his footing, fell off his car, and hit his head on the ground.
The incident was witnessed by many people in Victory Lane, and Zilisch was quickly attended to by emergency responders. He was placed on a backboard and carried away from the scene.
Despite the injury, Zilisch was conscious and alert, and he was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. According to Zilisch's father, he was not in any life-threatening danger.
The fall had an immediate impact on Zilisch's racing schedule, as he was unable to participate in the NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen the following day. He also missed the race at Richmond the next weekend due to recovery. However, Zilisch remains optimistic about his return to racing, and hopes to be back in time for the Xfinity Series playoffs later in the season.
Trackhouse Racing, the team that Zilisch drives for, announced that they have withdrawn the No. 87 Chevrolet from Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen, as Zilisch had been scheduled to be behind the wheel.
The race was red-flagged due to a massive crash caused by contact between Austin Hill and Michael McDowell, but it resumed after Zilisch was taken away in the ambulance. After the race resumed, Zilisch took the checkered flag once again, securing his sixth win and his second straight win at Watkins Glen.
Zilisch later gave an update, revealing that a scan performed at the hospital had confirmed the broken collarbone. He expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from the racing community, and promised to come back stronger than ever.
The racing community is rallying around Zilisch as he begins his recovery, and fans are eagerly awaiting his return to the track. In the meantime, the focus remains on the racing action, as the NASCAR season continues to heat up.
Zilisch was apparently so ecstatic about his second straight win at Watkins Glen that he bet on a race or some sports event to celebrate, like he did collars earlier this year. Meanwhile, his immediate racing schedule has been significantly affected by the injury, as he might have to miss more races, including various sports competitions he had bet on.
