NASCAR's Connor Zilisch Faces Surgery After Infamous Xfinity Victory Fall
NASCAR Xfinity driver Connor Zilisch has revealed that his collarbone injury may require surgery for a faster recovery. Zilisch fell off his car while celebrating his race win in Victory Lane at Watkins Glen International last weekend.
Falling head first, the 19-year-old driver was rushed to the medical center, where he was diagnosed with a broken collarbone. With the upcoming weekend being an off-weekend for the Xfinity Series, Zilisch will get some much-needed time to recover and resume his season, in which he maintains the lead in the points standings.
Zilisch was due to race the next day for Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series, but the injury kept him out of the race. His Trackhouse teammate Shane van Gisbergen, who won the Cup race, offered injury advice to Zilisch, which is making him consider undergoing surgery. Speaking on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Zilisch said:
"I think it might be something that I might have to get surgery for. But in this case, I think surgery is something that speeds up the process, so you can get plates and screws and get it reconstructed back together.
Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 09, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New...
Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 09, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New York. More"Shane [van Gisbergen] talked about it — he had an injury in 2021 and broke his collarbone — he had plates, screws, everything done and he was racing back the next weekend. Thankfully, the collarbone is a relatively quick bone to fix and heal."
Zilisch also addressed his racing return, hoping that he can soon get back behind the wheel. He said:
"We're still working out with all the doctors to figure out what's gonna be the next steps. But I've got a little motivation from Shane [van Gisbergen], my teammate, he had a plate put in and raced the weekend after. So, I don't know if I'll be that quick but hopefully my young bones will heal fast, and I'll be able to get back in it as soon as possible."
Newsweek Sports previously reported van Gisbergen's comments from Watkins Glen, where he spoke about his experience of recovering from a similar shoulder injury in 2021 and revealed that Zilisch will soon get back to racing with the help of good doctors. He said:
"I broke my collarbone in 2021, left side, mine was a bit out by the AC. I did a bit more damage to my shoulder, and then I also had a fake ligament put in. I had a weekend off and raced the next week. Pretty much what he [Zilisch] is going to go through. Once the plate is in there, it's stronger than the bone was. I had a plate put in and then take it out at the end of the year. It is obviously going to be in pain.
"My biggest problem was the tightening of the belts. I could really feel the plates through my skin, and it was a horrible feeling. I raced the next week and did pretty well. So, with some good doctors and some good dr*gs, he'll get through the race fine."
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