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Newsweek
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
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.
Newsweek
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Connor Zilisch Sends Message To Kyle Larson After NASCAR Xfinity Texas Win
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 reacted to Kyle Larson's NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at Texas Motor Speedway. The Cup Series driver was called in last minute by JR Motorsports to stand in for Zilisch after a wreck in Talladega left him injured. The 18-year-old was leading the Xfinity Series race at the Talladega Superspeedway when a crash with Richard Childress Racing driver Jesse Love cost him his race. After the team confirmed mid-week that Zilisch would not take part in Texas due to a back injury, Larson took to the wheel of the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. After clinching the win, the injured driver shared a message to social media: "Proud of my team and @KyleLarsonRacin. My turn next." Proud of my team and @KyleLarsonRacin. My turn next😆 — Connor Zilisch (@ConnorZilisch) May 3, 2025 Larson commented: "It was a lot of survival, I felt like in that race. I got in some wrecks, the balance we had to work on quite a bit. So, it was fun. I felt like if I could ever get the lead, I could stretch it out, but I couldn't get by Justin (Allgaier). He was running where I needed to be. Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, prepares to qualify for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2025 in Talladega, Alabama. Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, prepares to qualify for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25, 2025 in Talladega, Alabama."Thanks to JRM for letting me come run this thing here today. Obviously, I wish Connor was in the car, but it means a lot that they thought of me to call up to run this thing." Zilisch gave an update on his recovery while speaking to FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass in Texas. He commented: "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." NASCAR Xfinity Series at Texas Motor Speedway unofficial results
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Connor Zilisch Sidelined with Lower Back Injury After Talladega Crash
Connor Zilisch will be out of the car at the start of Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway due to a lower back injury suffered from his crash last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Zilisch, 18, was leading on the final lap of Saturday's Ag-Pro 300 when a bump-draft went wrong and hooked his No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro hard left. Zilisch could not stop in time and slammed into the inside wall with a tremendous impact that forced NASCAR to throw the caution, despite him being the only car involved. Zilisch would be credited with a 27th place finish. WeatherTech Chevrolet driver Connor Zilisch walks pit road alongside his No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images After being evaluated and released from the infield care center, Zilisch would undergo further evaluations during the week. JR Motorsports then announced that Zilisch sustained a lower back injury and would be declared day to day. With his victory at Circuit of the Americas earlier this year, Zilisch is already locked into the 2025 Playoffs. Because of that, the team decided to choose the safe route and opt him not to race in this weekend's race at Texas Motor Speedway, the Andy's Frozen Custard 300. Advertisement 'Kyle Larson will sub for Connor Zilisch behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway as Zilisch continues to recover from a lower back injury sustained last weekend at Talladega,' JR Motorsports said in a published statement on Apr. 30. The following day, NASCAR granted Zilisch a waiver for his injury to remain qualified for the Xfinity Playoffs later this year. On Friday, Zilisch met with media to further discuss his situation. 'I feel okay,' Zilisch told Bob Pockrass with Fox Sports. '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 who have a lot more not only racing experience but also life experience. I've got a lot ahead of me and to rush back in something after a crash like that would be silly, so we're just taking our time with the recovery process. Taking it one day at a time, and I'm feeling better every day. Advertisement 'Thankful for everyone who's been there for me and been willing to give me unbiased answers throughout the process.' His mature answer was followed quickly by a prompt that caught him off guard. When asked about the extent and specifics of his injuries, Zilisch decided to 'plead the fifth.' 'I don't know what I'm allowed to say,' stated Zilisch when asked about the extent of his injuries. 'I cleared all my x-rays at the track, and there was nothing obvious. Everything is very minor, I'll say that. I don't know what to say about what the extent of my injuries are, but I'll probably just plead the fifth and not get myself in trouble. Everything is—there's no crazy big injury that is going to hold me for months. It's going to be day by day.' Advertisement Zilisch sits sixth in the regular season championship standings heading into Texas, 150 points behind championship leader, defending series champion and JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier. Zilisch could drop as far as 16th in the overall standings. Related: NASCAR TV and Streaming Schedule for Texas Motor Speedway
Newsweek
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
JR Motorsports Gives Connor Zilisch Playoff Eligibility Update Amid Back Injury
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. JR Motorsports has provided an update on Connor Zilisch's playoff eligibility after confirming that the 18-year-old driver will miss the Texas NASCAR Xfinity Series race due to a back injury. The Dale Earnhardt Jr.-led team confirmed in a statement that, "Connor Zilisch has been granted a playoff waiver by NASCAR and remains qualified for the 2025 NXS Playoffs." To be eligible for the playoffs, drivers have to be competing full-time. As Zilisch is only out of the race weekend due to an injury/medical reason, this decision from NASCAR was expected. Zilisch was leading the final lap of the NASCAR Xfinity race at Talladega last weekend when he was hit from behind by Jesse Love. The tap from the Richard Childress Racing driver sent Zilisch into a spin before he crashed into the barriers head-on. Continuing to cascade across the track, he eventually came to a stop. After visiting the infield medical center, he explained that he was "grateful to be walking." Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, loduring qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black's Tire at Rockingham Speedway on April 19, 2025 in Rockingham, North Carolina. Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, loduring qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black's Tire at Rockingham Speedway on April 19, 2025 in Rockingham, North drivers have said about the Zilisch x Love wreck Connor Zilisch Speaking after the race, Zilisch explained: "Yeah, I'm okay. "That's one of the wrecks where you move your legs and make sure everything feels okay afterwards. So, very grateful to drive safe JR Motorsports race cars. "Our WeatherTech Chevrolet was as fast as Xfinity Mobile. We were in the right spot, just, yeah, I haven't really watched it close enough to know what happened. But yeah, grateful to be up and walking." He added a day later: "Sore today but more than anything just upset that I couldn't close that one out for my team. If we keep putting ourselves in position to win races, it will come. Thank you to everyone who reached out to make sure I was okay." Jesse Love Love, who is close friends with Zilisch, commented directly after the race: "I just got really good pushes there at the end. "I was able to lift enough off of [Turn] 2 to get big pushes. I kind of thought we made our bed and were not in a good spot to win, and then I was able to get Austin [Hill] connected to me and he was able to give me some good pushes down the backstretch for a few laps. It was definitely tough how that ended. I hope my friend is okay. "I'm not going to comment on what I thought happened there yet. I just want to go check on him and make sure he's alright. Looked like a really hard hit, and he really hasn't taken many hard hits yet." Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt Jr. also shared a message of encouragement for his team's driver, writing: "It sucks to see Connor have to sit out but I'm thankful he is being smart and patient with this injury. "He'll be back in the seat and back at the front of the field soon enough."
Newsweek
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sends Encouraging Message To Connor Zilisch Amid Back Injury
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. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has shared an encouraging message to Connor Zilisch after JR Motorsports confirmed that he will sit out of the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. Zilisch has been suffering with a back injury since a wreck with Jesse Love at Talledega last weekend. "It sucks to see Connor have to sit out but I'm thankful he is being smart and patient with this injury," Earnhardt wrote. "He'll be back in the seat and back at the front of the field soon enough." It sucks to see Connor have to sit out but I'm thankful he is being smart and patient with this injury. He'll be back in the seat and back at the front of the field soon enough. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) April 30, 2025 Kyle Larson is set to replace Zilisch in the NASCAR Xfinity Andy's Frozen Custard 300, which JR Motorsports confirmed in a statement: "Kyle Larson will sub for Connor Zilisch behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway as Zilisch continues to recover from a lower back injury sustained last weekend at Talladega." Dale Earnhardt Jr. speaks onstage as SiriusXM and Dirty Mo Media broadcast from Daytona Speedway for the 2025 Daytona 500 on February 13, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Dale Earnhardt Jr. speaks onstage as SiriusXM and Dirty Mo Media broadcast from Daytona Speedway for the 2025 Daytona 500 on February 13, 2025 in Daytona Beach, SiriusXM While speaking to the media following the race at Talladega, Zilisch had commented that he was "grateful to be up and walking." "Yeah, I'm okay," he said. "That's one of the wrecks where you move your legs and make sure everything feels okay afterwards. So, very grateful to drive safe JR Motorsports race cars. "Our WeatherTech Chevrolet was as fast as Xfinity Mobile. We were in the right spot, just, yeah, I haven't really watched it close enough to know what happened. But yeah, grateful to be up and walking. "Yeah, that's great," Zilisch added. "Jesse's probably my best friend in the world, and I'm grateful to have someone like him who can come and stand in front of me, and you know, give me a hug after that." NASCAR Xfinity Series: Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway results
