Connor Zilisch falls celebrating win: NASCAR driver says he broke collarbone
Zilisch had climbed out of his car and had his right foot on the roof and the left on the window when he appeared to slip, his feet getting caught in the netting and sending his head hurtling toward the ground. He hit the pavement hard and did not immediately move.
He was placed on a backboard and eventually loaded into an ambulance. The CW broadcast said Zilisch was speaking with medical personnel. NBC Sports' Dustin Long said Zilisch sat up in the ambulance, which was taking him to the infield care center.
Connor Zilisch took a scary fall from his vehicle and the CW broadcast immediately cut to commercial. The broadcast later reported he was alert and speaking to medical officials and was being taken to the medical center. pic.twitter.com/Y547KlwhCc
Connor Zilisch injury update
NASCAR said Zilisch was "transported to a local hospital for further evaluation" and added that he was "awake and alert."
JR Motorsports provided another update later Saturday, saying Zilisch had been released from the hospital.
Zilisch, 19, took to social media himself a few minutes after JR Motorsports' announcement. He said he has a broken collarbone.
"Thank you everybody for reaching out today," Zilisch wrote on X. "I'm out of the hospital and getting better already. 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."
Thank you everybody for reaching out today. I'm out of the hospital and getting better already. 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.❤️
Zilisch was slated to take part in Sunday's Cup Series race at Watkins Glen, but Trackhouse Racing said late Saturday night that the No. 87 would be withdrawn. "We wish Connor a speedy recovery," Trackhouse said in its statement.
This story has been updated with new information.
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