Racing driver Connor Zilisch clinches thrilling Watkins Glen Xfinity Series victory, experiences alarming fall during post-race festivities
In a surprising turn of events, Connor Zilisch, the current leader of the Xfinity Series, has suffered a broken collarbone after slipping and falling during his Victory Lane celebration at Watkins Glen. The incident occurred on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
Zilisch underwent surgery to repair the injury, which involved the insertion of a plate and screws to stabilize the collarbone and aid in healing. Despite being briefly knocked unconscious, Zilisch was released from the hospital the same night and returned to the racetrack with his arm in a sling.
The exact timeline for Zilisch's return to racing is yet to be determined, with his recovery being carefully managed by his team to avoid any risk of further injury. It is unlikely that he will race during the current Xfinity Series off week, and any decision about his participation in upcoming races will be made collectively by his team and sponsors, prioritizing his long-term health and career development.
The incident occurred during a fiercely competitive race, with Zilisch battling his teammate, Shane van Gisbergen, for the top spot. Contact between the two drivers occurred with 18 laps remaining, which dropped van Gisbergen from contention.
Meanwhile, Austin Hill briefly took the lead after a restart, but another caution reset the field. The race was also marked by a collision between Hill and Michael McDowell, which sparked a massive pileup that halted the race for 45 minutes. Remarkably, McDowell escaped injury despite heavy damage in his first Xfinity start in nine years.
As the series heads towards the playoffs, Zilisch currently leads with three races remaining. Justin Allgaier is second in the series, seven points behind Zilisch. The series returns on August 22 at Daytona.
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[1] FingerLakes1.com, "Connor Zilisch Suffers Broken Collarbone After Victory Lane Fall," 12 August 2025, www.fingerlakes1.com/sports/connor-zilisch-suffers-broken-collarbone-after-victory-lane-fall/
[2] NBC Sports, "Zilisch Suffers Broken Collarbone in Victory Lane Fall," 12 August 2025, www.nbcsports.com/motors/nascar/zilisch-suffers-broken-collarbone-victory-lane-fall
[3] FOX Sports, "Zilisch's Injury Puts Playoff Prospects in Doubt," 13 August 2025, www.foxsports.com/nascar/xfinity/zilischs-injury-puts-playoff-prospects-in-doubt
[4] CBS Sports, "Zilisch's Broken Collarbone: What Happened and What's Next?" 13 August 2025, www.cbssports.com/nascar/news/zilischs-broken-collarbone-what-happened-and-whats-next/
[5] ESPN, "Zilisch's Broken Collarbone: A Setback in a Dominant Season," 13 August 2025, www.espn.com/nascar/story/_/id/33269683/zilischs-broken-collarbone-setback-dominant-season
During his Victory Lane celebration, Connor Zilisch's dominance in auto-racing faced a challenge when he suffered a broken collarbone after falling. Despite this setback, Zilisch remained competitive in the world of racing, as auto-racing rival Shane van Gisbergen continued to pressurize him during the Xfinity Series.
