Connor Zilisch. Credit :
David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty
- Connor Zilisch broke his collarbone in a scary fall while celebrating his win at Watkins Glen International on Saturday, Aug. 9
- According to NASCAR, the race car driver, 19, was taken to a local hospital following the incident
- “Thankful for all the medics for quick attention and grateful it wasn’t any worse.❤️,” Zilisch wrote on X
Race car driver Connor Zilisch’s winning celebration at NASCAR’s Xfinity Series took a scary turn after he had a hard fall in the Victory Lane at Watkins Glen International.
While celebrating his win at the Mission 200 on Saturday, Aug. 9, Zilisch, 19, climbed onto the roof of his No. 88 Chevrolet. According to ESPN, he then slipped when his left foot got caught in the driver’s window and fell to the ground.
“Connor Zilisch has been transported to a local hospital for further evaluation following today’s Xfinity Series race,” NASCAR said in a statement on X, adding that the racing star “is awake and alert.”
Zilisch later revealed on X that he broke his collarbone in the fall but has since been released from the hospital.
“Thank you everybody for reaching out today,” he wrote. “I’m out of the hospital and getting better already. Thankfully, CT scans for my head are clear, I just have a broken collarbone. Thankful for all the medics for quick attention and grateful it wasn’t any worse.❤️”
Zilisch falls while celebrating his win at the Mission 200 at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, N.Y., on Aug. 9. David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty
In footage of the incident aired by CW Sports, Zilisch is seen climbing out of the driver’s window of his car while holding a canned drink in one hand. He places one foot on the ledge of the window and the other foot on the roof of the car.
Zilisch then stands with his arms raised in celebration before unexpectedly losing his balance and falling to the ground. The race car driver lies motionless before the footage cuts off.
The 19-year-old had been celebrating his series-leading sixth victory at the Xfinity Series when the incident happened. Zilisch had an eventful race after being bumped down from the lead to fifth in a restart, before taking over in the leading position again in the last four laps, per ESPN.
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Zilisch before his accident at Watkins Glen International on Aug. 9. Chris Graythen/Getty
“He did such a great job of getting back through the field and getting the lead,” crew chief Mardy Lindley said after the race, per ESPN. “Praying for Connor right now that he’s OK. I think he’s going to be fine.”
Following his injury, Zilisch will not be taking part in the Cup race at Watkins Glen on Sunday, Aug. 10, according to the outlet. He was due to make his fourth Cup start this season for Trackhouse Racing as he competed in a tripleheader.
