Connor Zilisch is on the mend after a scary fall in Victory Lane, but his return to the track is still on hold. The 19-year-old JR Motorsports driver underwent successful surgery to repair a broken collarbone he suffered while celebrating his sixth NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Watkins Glen.
Though he’s officially listed for the upcoming Daytona 100-lap race, Zilisch’s participation hinges entirely on medical clearance. NASCAR takes safety seriously, especially for injured drivers, so both his orthopedic doctor and NASCAR’s medical team will have to sign off before he can get back behind the wheel.
It’s a system that balances excitement with caution, making sure drivers aren’t rushing back too soon, while still allowing teams to earn points strategically if a substitute steps in.
“I believe this week he has a follow-up appointment with his ortho, and once he has that, let’s hope that he’s good to go, and his doctor gives him the clearance,” NASCAR managing director of communications Mike Forde said on the latest episode of the Hauler Talk podcast. “His doctor will talk to our medical team, and then we will clear him to return to all racing activities.”
Mike Forde also explained how points would work if Zilisch starts the race but hands over the car to a substitute.
“If Zilisch starts the Daytona race in the No. 88 Chevrolet before handing over driving duties, he would still collect all race points, including those for the fastest lap. However, any playoff points earned by the substitute driver during stage or race wins would remain with the substitute and not transfer to Zilisch.”
The Watkins Glen Incident: A Harsh Reminder
The incident that sidelined Zilisch happened on August 9, 2025, right after his win at Watkins Glen International. While celebrating in Victory Lane, Zilisch tried to climb onto the roof of his No. 88 Chevrolet, but his foot caught in the window netting, sending him crashing to the ground.
Thankfully, scans showed no head injury, but his collarbone needed surgery. Even with this setback, Zilisch has had a stellar season, multiple wins, and consistent top-five finishes have him on track as one of NASCAR’s rising stars.
At the same time, NASCAR is reviewing safety measures during post-race celebrations to prevent similar accidents in the future.
NASCAR Responds to Zilisch’s Crash with New Preventive Measures
During the Hauler Talk podcast, Forde revealed NASCAR plans to tighten up some safety gear, including ensuring the window net stays properly in place.
“I think that was part of the problem, the window net was flapping on the outside. Connor even mentioned that it may have been a problem, and one of our safety guys agreed. We may just do a check to make sure it’s properly secured, one less thing for someone to slip on.”
Despite the incident, NASCAR isn’t scrapping the sport’s beloved Victory Lane celebrations. Drivers will still be able to climb on their cars and door sills, keeping that fan-favorite tradition alive.
“We have not put in any policies or best practices that prevent it,” Forde added.
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