Connor Zilisch Confirms NASCAR Return As He Shares Major Health Update
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Connor Zilisch has confirmed his NASCAR return after suffering a back injury as he shared an update on his recovery with his fans.
Confirming the news on social media, the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver stated:
"'I'm back.'
"My back is all healed up and I'm ready for a big weekend at Charlotte. I'm pumped to make my second Cup start with Trackhouse and get back in the Xfinity car with JR Motorsports. Big thanks to everyone who helped me get back so soon!"
The JR Motorsports driver sustained the back injury during a wreck with Jesse Love at Talladega. As a result, he missed the Texas Xfinity race in order to recover.
Kyle Larson stepped in for the 18-year-old and went on to secure the victory. Despite not racing at Texas Motor Speedway, Zilisch spoke to the media to give an update. He explained at the time, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports:
Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, gives a thumbs up to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26,...
Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, gives a thumbs up to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2025 in Talladega, Alabama. More"Yeah, I feel okay. You know, a lot of what I'm doing is not up to me, I listen to all the doctors around me and the people around me that have a lot more, not only racing experience, but life experience.
"I've got a lot ahead of me, and to rush back into something after a crash like that would be silly.
"So, yeah, we're just taking our time with the recovery process, taking it one day at a time, and you know, I'm feeling better every day. Thankful for everyone who's been there for me and been willing to give me unbiased answers throughout the process."
He added:
"I don't know what I'm allowed to say.
"I cleared all my X-rays at the track, and there was nothing obvious. Everything is very minor, I'll say that. But, I don't know what I'm allowed to say to the extent of what my injuries are, but I'll probably just plead the fifth and not get myself in trouble. There is no crazy big injury that is going to hold me for months. It's going to be day by day."
Zilisch returns for the BetMGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 24.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
WNBA Preview: Commissioner's Cup 101, Mercury/Lynx lead key matchups for the week
The Commissioner's Cup, the WNBA's mid-season competition, officially tipped off this past Sunday. For those who need a refresher, the Commissioner's Cup was established in 2020, which came from the league and the players union's latest Collective Bargaining Agreement. The intent was to provide players with more opportunities to earn money while also developing conference-based storylines and potential rivalries especially since the WNBA playoffs don't take conferences into account. With a global pandemic jolting the entire world in 2020, the Cup didn't officially debut until 2021 when the Seattle Storm defeated the Connecticut Sun 79-57. The formatting for the WNBA Commissioner's Cup is as follows: each team plays one game against each team in their conference, and whichever team has the highest winning percentage makes it to the Commissioner's Cup Final. With the Golden State Valkyries now in the fold as the WNBA's 13th team, Western Conference teams by default will play six Cup games rather than five, and teams in the Western Conference will have an even three-game split of road and home Cup games. While teams in the Eastern Conference will play fewer games, some will have fewer home games than others. For example, the Atlanta Dream will play three of their five Cup games on the road while the Indiana Fever will play three of their Cup games at home. Advertisement If teams are tied by the time the Cup games are completed, the WNBA has three tiers of tiebreakers. The first is decided by the average point differential in all Cup games which the league tracks , and then the second tiebreaker is determined by head-to-head matchups. For instance, if the Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces are tied in overall winning percentage, but the Lynx defeated the Aces during one of previous Cup games, then the Lynx break the tie and advance to the Final. The third tiebreaker is a coin flip, which hasn't yet been used in the four-season history of the Cup. What makes the WNBA's Commissioner's Cup unique from the NBA's in-season tournament the NBA Cup is how each WNBA team is partnered with a local charitable organization of their own choice and with each Commissioner's Cup game a team wins, money is awarded to the team's chosen partner. This season some franchises have chosen their local ACLU branches, while other teams have chosen organizations that aim to tackle issues such as youth criminalization, mass incarceration, women's mental and physical health and hate speech. Charities are awarded $3,000 for each team's Cup wins, $1,000 for each Cup loss and then an additional $10,000 is provided to the Cup Final's winner, while the runner-up's charity receives $5,000 in addition to all the other earnings that were accumulated from the previous Cup games. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 01: Ezi Magbegor #13 of the Seattle Storm shoots over A'ja Wilson #22 and Kiah Stokes #41 of the Las Vegas Aces during the first quarter of a 2025 Commissioner's Cup game at Climate Pledge Arena on June 01, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) (Rio Giancarlo via Getty Images) undefinedundefinedundefined Advertisement Teams that make it to the final, which will be held on July 1, will be hosted by the team with the highest winning percentage will have the chance to win a $500,000 prize pool in addition to $120,000 in cryptocurrency that includes $5,000 for each player in the Commissioner's Cup Final. Last week ended with some early Commissioner's Cup victories for the Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury and the New York Liberty, who had a historic 100-52 beatdown of the Connecticut Sun. Starting on Tuesday night teams like the Washington Mystics, Fever, and the Dallas Wings will begin their Cup games while the Dream and the Sky will start them more toward the end of the week. The Dream are riding a four-game winning streak, only second to the 7-0 starts of the Liberty and Lynx. The Los Angeles Sparks, Seattle Storm and Fever have all struggled last week and are currently riding three-game losing streaks. The month of June has brought multiple hardship contracts into the league as teams have dealt with unforeseen injuries and will continue to deal with more absences as players leave for FIBA tournament EuroBasket. The following matchups to watch below this week are all Commissioner's Cup games, and all games through June 17 will also have that designation. Advertisement undefined Washington Mystics @ Indiana Fever (Tuesday June 3 at 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV) The Indiana Fever have been without star point guard Caitlin Clark for just two games and as a result the Fever have lost both contests. In the first against the Washington Mystics, the Fever had zero fastbreak points, a key part of their offensive identity that's usually spearheaded by Clark. And then days later lost to the Sun 85-83 in a game where both Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson left the game with leg injuries. Cunningham re-injured her right ankle that she banged up previously in a May 10 preseason game. She won't play on Tuesday. Now with veteran guard Aari McDonald signed on an emergency hardship contract , the Fever will have a two-way point guard who can play with pace and can put pressure on the rim. While Colson will play on Tuesday night after she too left the Sun game with a leg injury, the Fever can use her as a 3-and-D guard rather than a floor general. How will McDonald fit on the Fever? For that uncertainty alone this game is worth watching. Phoenix Mercury @ Minnesota Lynx (Tuesday June 3 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN3) Advertisement The Mercury lost 74-71 to the Lynx at home on May 30 at almost the last second on a clutch three-pointer from Natisha Hiedeman. Now Phoenix gets another crack at the Lynx on the road this time but now the stakes are even higher as both teams are looking to stay undefeated in the Western Conference for Commissioner's Cup play. With MVP front-runner Napheesa Collier playing in the rematch after missing the first game with a knee injury, how will the Mercury's much-improved defense adapt? And without Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack available, does latest addition Haley Jones get more run? How does Megan McConnell, who Phoenix signed after waiving guard Sevgi Uzun because of her EuroBasket commitments, do after re-joining the roster? McConnell, a former Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year in college, was with the Mercury in training camp and the preseason. Atlanta Dream @ Connecticut Sun (Friday June 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ION) The Sun were absolutely embarrassed this past Sunday by the Liberty, and star guard Marina Mabrey is still embarrassed after posting the worst plus/minus in league history. Mabrey told Lynx guards Courtney Williams and Hiedeman on a Twitch livestream how she's still embarrassed by the loss. 'Do you know how embarrassing that was?,' she told Williams and Hiedeman. 'That s*** hurt the inside of my soul. I'm still angry.' How angry will Mabrey and her team be when they play the Dream, the third-best offense in the league, four days after being blown out by New York? Atlanta also attempts the third-most threes in the league behind Golden State and New York. That will be a lot to handle for the Sun, although the Dream also have the sixth-worst defense in the league. I expect this one to be much closer with pride on the line. Las Vegas Aces @ Golden State Valkyries (Saturday June 7 at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+) Advertisement The Aces are getting on track after an embarrassing 102-82 loss to the Seattle Storm on May 25. Since then the Aces have won two straight including a 96-81 beatdown of the Sparks, spoiling Kelsey Plum's return to Las Vegas for the first time since she was traded. A'ja Wilson scored 35 points, had 13 rebounds and six assists in a performance that earned her a Western Conference player of the Week award, the 23rd time she's won the award. The Aces sought their revenge on the Storm a couple of days later, defeating them narrowly 75-70. While the Valkyries have lost three straight, this will be the first time head coach Natalie Nakase faces off against her former team and mentor in Aces head coach Becky Hammon. Nakase knows how the Aces play like the back of her hand, and I expect the Valkyries to be hungry for a third win. Golden State consistently plays hard regardless of the outcome and could give the Aces some trouble in their first game playing in the Bay Area. Indiana Fever @ Chicago Sky (Saturday June 7 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS)
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Amazon Prime Video Redefines NASCAR Broadcasts with a Bold New Era of Streaming and Innovation
Amazon Prime Video has officially taken the wheel in NASCAR's latest media revolution, and it's not just about where fans watch races, but how they experience them. As part of NASCAR's new seven-year media rights deal kicking off in 2025, Amazon secured exclusive streaming rights to five mid-season Cup Series races annually. That alone is a landmark shift. But when Prime Video debuted with the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend, the first-ever points-paying Cup race aired solely on a streaming platform, it was clear this was more than just a broadcasting contract. It's the beginning of NASCAR's streaming era. Amazon's Broader Sports Play Prime Video's entry into NASCAR builds on Amazon's broader push into live sports. The tech giant already owns rights to the NFL's 'Thursday Night Football', Premier League soccer, and WNBA matchups. NASCAR represents the latest step in a long-term plan to draw cord-cutting fans and modernize the live sports experience. Advertisement For NASCAR, partnering with Amazon helps diversify its reach. As NASCAR President Steve Phelps said, the league aimed to 'secure long-term stability with an optimized mix of distribution platforms.' Amazon offers access to a younger, more tech-forward audience, and early numbers suggest it's working. Streaming Debut Delivers Younger, Engaged Viewers Amazon's first Cup race drew a peak of 2.92 million viewers, including 800,000 in the key 18–49 demographic—more than any NASCAR cable race in the last three years. While overall viewership lagged behind last year's traditional Fox broadcast, the younger median age and digital engagement signal growth potential. And for fans, the change wasn't just about the platform, it was about the product. Amazon eliminated full-screen commercials during green-flag racing, replacing them with picture-in-picture ads. It's a long-overdue fix to one of NASCAR's most frustrating TV traditions. Advertisement Related: NASCAR schedule 2025 Game-Changing Features: No Missed Moments, More Control Prime's fan-first approach includes innovations like 'Key Moments,' letting viewers rewind major highlights on demand, and 'Rapid Recap,' which delivers a condensed video summary for fans who join mid-race. These tools are built for modern sports viewers used to TikTok speed and DVR control. In addition, Amazon is using Amazon Web Services (AWS) to layer in real-time stats and predictive insights, similar to what AWS already powers for Formula 1. From tire wear to pit strategy, expect smarter analysis baked into the coverage. Advertisement There's also a seamless e-commerce tie-in, allowing fans to 'Shop the Race' and buy team gear in real time. It's an extension of Amazon's retail empire, but also a clever way to let passion turn into purchase with a single click. A Broadcast Team Built for Credibility Fans tuning in to Prime Video's NASCAR coverage were met by a familiar voice: Dale Earnhardt Jr., alongside longtime crew chief Steve Letarte and seasoned broadcaster Adam Alexander. The team brings deep credibility and experience, and unlike some networks, Amazon sends its entire crew on-site to every race, enhancing authenticity and access. Supporting them are pit reporters Marty Snider, Kim Coon, and Trevor Bayne, while Danielle Trotta, Carl Edwards, and Corey LaJoie lead pre- and post-race coverage. The Coca-Cola 600 post-race show ran over an hour, something rarely seen on traditional TV. Challenges Ahead for NASCAR and Fans Still, not everyone is sold. While Amazon partnered with DirecTV to stream races in bars and restaurants, some rural or older fans have struggled to adapt. Internet access, tech familiarity, and subscription fatigue are all real hurdles. Advertisement But team owners and sponsors are bullish. As 23XI Racing President Steve Lauletta said, 'This is a positive move to reach consumers where they are.' The marketing upside, especially for sponsors eager to tap Amazon's platform, is hard to ignore. Related: Prime Video Review 2025 – What to Know Before Subscribing The Future of NASCAR Broadcasting Ultimately, NASCAR's partnership with Amazon feels like a test case for the future of all live sports. It's not just about streaming, it's about flexibility, data, and personalization. If successful, this hybrid model of streaming and traditional TV could become the new norm across major leagues. Advertisement For fans, the tradeoff is clear: a slightly different way to watch in exchange for deeper, richer coverage that's focused more on the racing, and less on missing it. If Amazon continues listening to the fanbase and delivering a product built around access, engagement, and innovation, NASCAR may have found a long-term pit partner for the digital age. Related Headlines
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Panthers forward Brad Marchand reflects on ‘frustrating' and ‘stressful' Boston exit
EDMONTON - Brad Marchand found himself in uncharted territory. The Boston Bruins captain was churning towards unrestricted free agency on a team that was falling well short of expectations. The stress was getting to him. 'Situations I really hadn't been in before … I wouldn't say I dealt with them great,' Marchand said Tuesday. 'The business side of it, I let it frustrate me.' The veteran winger from Halifax couldn't agree on a new contract with the Bruins — the only NHL franchise he had ever known — and was eventually traded to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers as the Atlantic Division powerhouse loaded up for another title run. The fit has been perfect. Marchand, who won the Cup with Boston in 2011 and made the final in both 2013 and 2019, is back in the NHL's title series sporting new colours. The player, however, remains largely the same. Schooled in hockey's dark arts, Marchand has eased up on the antics as he's matured, but the 37-year-old remains an antagonizing force for a group that will face the Edmonton Oilers for a second straight June — Game 1 goes Wednesday at Rogers Place — after the Panthers won in seven hard-found games some 11 1/2 months ago. 'I learned about him that he's a good guy,' Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, who defeated Marchand's Bruins in both the 2023 and 2024 playoffs, said with a smile during his NHL media day availability. 'Playing against him … you'd rather have him on your side than playing against him. He's brought a lot of experience to our team.' Florida winger Matthew Tkachuk said Marchand's entry into the locker room couldn't have been scripted any better. 'He's the perfect Panther,' Tkachuk said. 'He's built for our team … he was so hard to play against. We've played a bunch before, but I still don't think you get to see his skill set. 'Such a hard worker and an unbelievable teammate.' Florida centre Sam Bennett had run-ins with Marchand on opposite sides in the playoffs, including when he delivered a sneaky punch to his now-teammate in the Panthers' second-round victory last season. The pair suited up for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February before becoming NHL teammates a few weeks later. 'The one thing that really stands out is just his natural leadership,' Bennett said. 'Right from Day 1, guys looked up to him. He's great around the room. He brings the energy. He keeps things light … make everyone feel a little bit more comfortable. 'Especially in the high-pressure situations.' Marchand, however, readily admits he didn't handle the pressures of his Boston exit as well as he would have liked. That page now turned, he's focused on securing his second Cup in a completely new environment. 'There were different hurdles that continued to get frustrating and stressful throughout the year, but that's part of the game,' Marchand said. 'You've got to find ways to deal with it. I wish I had done a better job at times. 'Something I can learn from.' STICKING AROUND Oilers forward Corey Perry said he plans to be back in the NHL for a 21st season in 2025-26. 'It's just not in me to think about it,' the 40-year-old said when asked if he's ever contemplated retirement. 'I love playing. I love being around the room. I don't think that's going to come into my head any time soon. 'The plan is to be back.' ONE GOAL IN MIND Poised to become one of the big names on the unrestricted free agent market if he doesn't re-up with Florida before July 1, Bennett said his future beyond this season has taken a back seat. 'Haven't really thought too much about anything other than the playoffs and getting here,' he said. 'Now the whole focus is on winning the Stanley Cup. Everything else is going to be in the background for the next couple weeks.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025.
