NASCAR Xfinity Series sensation Connor Zilisch suffered a broken collarbone following a celebratory fall in Victory Lane at Watkins Glen International. The 19-year-old driver slipped while attempting to climb onto his car after securing his sixth win of the 2025 season, leading to immediate medical attention and a hospital visit.
A Celebratory Slip Turns Painful
Zilisch had just clinched his sixth victory of the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season at Watkins Glen International. In a moment of jubilation, he attempted to stand on the driver’s door of his car. However, he lost his balance, falling hard onto the pavement. The impact was significant enough that he did not immediately get up and required medical assistance. He was subsequently placed on a backboard, taken to the infield care center via ambulance, and then transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Injury Update and Social Media Announcement
Later that evening, Zilisch was released from the hospital. He took to social media platform X to update fans on his condition. “Thank you everybody for reaching out today. I’m out of the hospital and getting better already,” Zilisch posted. He confirmed the extent of his injuries, stating, “Thankfully, CT scans for my head are clear, I just have a broken collarbone. Thankful for all the medics for quick attention and grateful it wasn’t any worse.”
Impact on Upcoming Races
Zilisch’s victory at Watkins Glen continued a remarkable streak of 11 consecutive top-five finishes, solidifying his status as a championship contender and one of NASCAR’s brightest young stars. His strong performance has propelled him to the top of the Xfinity Series standings. However, the injury has led to consequences for his immediate racing schedule. Trackhouse Racing announced that Zilisch would be withdrawn from the NASCAR Cup Series race scheduled for the following day at Watkins Glen. His next scheduled Xfinity Series start is slated for two weeks later at Daytona International Speedway.
Key Takeaways
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Connor Zilisch broke his collarbone after a fall in Victory Lane at Watkins Glen.
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The incident occurred while celebrating his sixth Xfinity Series win of the season.
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Zilisch was released from the hospital and confirmed his injury on social media.
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His withdrawal from the upcoming Cup Series race was announced by Trackhouse Racing.
