Latest news with #HaulerTalk
Newsweek
14-08-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
NASCAR to Adopt Preventive Action After Connor Zilisch's Watkins Glen Fall
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. NASCAR has confirmed that it will adopt a preventive measure to ensure a driver remains safe while celebrating in the Victory Lane. However, the sport will not stop drivers from celebrating in the manner that Connor Zilisch did, which led to his fall at Watkins Glen. Zilisch climbed atop his car after winning the Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International. However, he soon slipped and fell head first on the ground. The impact led to a broken collarbone. The 19-year-old driver has been leading the Xfinity points standings and was due to race the next day in the Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing. However, it was impossible for him to take part due to his injury. Zilisch underwent surgery on his shoulder to expedite his recovery so he can get back to the world of racing as soon as possible. Taking his fall into account, NASCAR managing director of communications, Mike Forde, pointed out that the window net on Zilisch's car was "flapping on the outside," which led to the incident. Speaking on the Hauler Talk podcast, Forde confirmed that the sport will take steps to ensure the net remains inside. He said: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, slips and falls off his car in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 09,... Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, slips and falls off his car in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 09, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New York. More"I think that was part of the problem that the window net was flapping on the outside. I think Connor even said that may have been a problem, and one of our safety guys actually mentioned the same thing. So, we may do just sort of a check to make sure that if that's inside the car, it's one less thing you can slip on." Forde also confirmed that NASCAR will not restrict its drivers from climbing on their door sill or their cars during Victory Lane celebrations. He said: "We have not put in any policies or best practices or anything like that." Related: NASCAR's Connor Zilisch Gets Trolled by His Father After 'Embarrassing' Fall Speaking of Zilisch's return to racing, it hasn't been confirmed if he will be in a position to take part in the Wawa 250 at the Daytona International Speedway. Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks opened up on the topic of when Zilisch will be able to race. Newsweek Sports reported his statement: "I think it's a discussion that we all have to have. We haven't really talked about much, obviously, since yesterday, but in the little bit that we've discussed in some of the quiet moments over the last 24 hours, it's going to have to be a group decision. "It's going to have to be sponsors, Chevrolet, the team, taking care of his development, taking care of him as a human and as an athlete, and then keeping his motivations high and making sure he knows he's got a group of people behind him that are supportive of him."
Gulf Today
14-08-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Today
NASCAR won't curb celebrations after Connor Zilisch's fall in Victory Lane
Driver Connor Zilisch's head-first tumble from the roof of his car in Victory Lane last weekend resulted in a broken collarbone but no changes in the customary celebrations, NASCAR said. There will be more attention on the window net, which apparently tangled with Zilisch's left foot as he climbed out of his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet after winning the Mission 200 at The Glen Xfinity Series race on Saturday night. Zilisch, 19, had one foot on the hood and one on the ledge of the window and was posing for photographs when he lost his balance and fell hard to the ground. The rookie was taken off the track on a backboard and to the hospital via ambulance. "I think that was part of the problem, that the window net was flapping on the outside," NASCAR managing director of communications Mike Forde said during the latest episode of the "Hauler Talk" podcast released on Wednesday. "I think Connor even said that may have been a problem, and one of our safety guys actually mentioned the same thing. So, we may do just sort of a check to make sure that if that's inside the car, it's one less thing you can slip on." Zilisch did not race on Sunday in the NASCAR Cup Series at Watkins Glen International Speedway. "First of all, I'm doing OK," Zilisch said during the USA broadcast of the race. "Very grateful to be able to walk away from that. I guess I didn't walk away, but I'm very grateful to be walking today and to just be all right. Thank you to all the medics who took care of me, and everybody who reached out and wished me well. I do appreciate it a lot." Zilisch said he knew he was in trouble just before the fall. "Yeah, I was climbing out of the car and obviously the window net was on the door, and as soon as they started spraying water, my foot slipped," Zilisch said. "The last thing I remember was being halfway down and falling, so I'm glad it wasn't any worse, and that the collarbone is the extent of the injuries, but hate I couldn't make it to the race today." Forde said on the podcast that NASCAR has not "put in any policies or best practices or anything like that," with regard to drivers climbing onto the doorsill while celebrating. Zilisch said he had surgery on his collarbone on Tuesday. The Xfinity Series points leader has not announced his status for the Aug. 22 race at Daytona International Speedway. He already used a playoff waiver for sitting out the May 2 event at Texas Motor Speedway because of a back injury. Forde said Zilisch must request another waiver to remain eligible for the series championship if he misses Daytona or other races. "He has to miss a race first, so we're probably a good two weeks away from even receiving a waiver request from Connor," Forde said. "We'll get with the doctors and find out where he is." Forde said that if Zilisch was medically cleared to race but chose to miss races while healing before the playoffs, NASCAR would consider it. Driver Alex Bowman, for example, missed a race in 2022 at Martinsville Speedway after being cleared during recovery from a concussion. "It's a case-by-case basis," Forde said. Reuters
TimesLIVE
14-08-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
NASCAR won't curb celebrations after Connor Zilisch's fall in Victory Lane
Driver Connor Zilisch's headfirst tumble from the roof of his car in Victory Lane last weekend resulted in a broken collarbone but no changes in the customary celebrations, NASCAR said. There will be more attention on the window net, which apparently tangled with Zilisch's left foot as he climbed out of his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet after winning the Mission 200 at The Glen Xfinity Series race on Saturday night. Zilisch, 19, had one foot on the hood and one on the ledge of the window and was posing for photographs when he lost his balance and fell hard to the ground. The rookie was taken off the track on a backboard and to the hospital via ambulance. 'I think that was part of the problem, that the window net was flapping on the outside,' NASCAR MD of communications Mike Forde said during the latest episode of the Hauler Talk podcast released on Wednesday. 'I think Connor even said that may have been a problem, and one of our safety guys actually mentioned the same thing. So, we may do just sort of a check to make sure that if that's inside the car, it's one less thing you can slip on.' Zilisch did not race on Sunday in the NASCAR Cup Series at Watkins Glen International Speedway. 'First of all, I'm doing OK,' Zilisch said during the US broadcast of the race. 'Very grateful to be able to walk away from that. I guess I didn't walk away, but I'm very grateful to be walking today and to just be all right. Thank you to all the medics who took care of me, and everybody who reached out and wished me well. I do appreciate it a lot.' Zilisch said he knew he was in trouble just before the fall. 'Yeah, I was climbing out of the car and obviously the window net was on the door, and as soon as they started spraying water, my foot slipped,' Zilisch said. 'The last thing I remember was being halfway down and falling, so I'm glad it wasn't any worse, and that the collarbone is the extent of the injuries, but hate I couldn't make it to the race today.' Forde said on the podcast that NASCAR has not 'put in any policies or best practices or anything like that,' with regard to drivers climbing onto the doorsill while celebrating. Zilisch said he had surgery on his collarbone on Tuesday. The Xfinity Series points leader has not announced his status for the August 22 race at Daytona International Speedway. He already used a playoff waiver for sitting out the May 2 event at Texas Motor Speedway because of a back injury. Forde said Zilisch must request another waiver to remain eligible for the series championship if he misses Daytona or other races. 'He has to miss a race first, so we're probably a good two weeks away from even receiving a waiver request from Connor,' Forde said. 'We'll get with the doctors and find out where he is.' Forde said that if Zilisch was medically cleared to race but chose to miss races while healing before the playoffs, NASCAR would consider it. Driver Alex Bowman, for example, missed a race in 2022 at Martinsville Speedway after being cleared during recovery from a concussion. 'It's a case-by-case basis,' Forde said.
San Francisco Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- San Francisco Chronicle
NASCAR hammers Ford driver Chris Buescher and his team for illegal modifications at Kansas
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR penalized driver Chris Buescher and his Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing team for illegal modifications to the bumper of his No. 17 Ford at Kansas Speedway. The sanctioning body docked the team 60 driver points, 60 owner points, five driver playoff points and five owner playoff points for the level one violation. It also fined the team $75,000 and suspended crew chief Scott Graves from the next two races: the All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600. The hefty penalties came three days after Buescher finished eighth at Kansas and dropped him from 12th in the Cup Series point standings to 24th, well out of playoff contention. The violations were discovered when the car was inspected at the NASCAR R&D Center after the race. Cup Series managing director Brad Moran said on the 'Hauler Talk' podcast that the car exceeded the maximum 2 inches of reinforcement behind the front bumper foam. There was no immediate word on whether RFK Racing would appeal the penalty.
Hamilton Spectator
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
NASCAR hammers Ford driver Chris Buescher and his team for illegal modifications at Kansas
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR penalized driver Chris Buescher and his Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing team for illegal modifications to the bumper of his No. 17 Ford at Kansas Speedway. The sanctioning body docked the team 60 driver points, 60 owner points, five driver playoff points and five owner playoff points for the level one violation. It also fined the team $75,000 and suspended crew chief Scott Graves from the next two races: the All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600. The hefty penalties came three days after Buescher finished eighth at Kansas and dropped him from 12th in the Cup Series point standings to 24th, well out of playoff contention. The violations were discovered when the car was inspected at the NASCAR R&D Center after the race. Cup Series managing director Brad Moran said on the 'Hauler Talk' podcast that the car exceeded the maximum 2 inches of reinforcement behind the front bumper foam. There was no immediate word on whether RFK Racing would appeal the penalty. ___ AP auto racing:
