NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch breaks collarbone after win
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Connor Zilisch fell while celebrating a win Saturday in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and was carted out of victory lane at Watkins Glen.
As Zilisch exited his car, he lifted his right leg up on to the roof of his car. When it appeared he tried to jump down for an interview with CW Sports, his left leg caught and caused his body to twist and his head and shoulder to hit the ground. (Editor’s note: Out of respect, we will not share any video of the actual fall).
Medical personnel responded to victory lane and put Zilisch on a backboard and carted him out. Zilisch reportedly talked to personnel as they loaded him on to the cart but still required medical attention. He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
Connor Zilisch stated he broke his collarbone. All CT scans on his head also came back clear. However, he will miss the NASCAR Cup Series race he was set to run Sunday.
Zilisch missed a race earlier in the season after a wreck at Talladega left him with a back injury. Since he returned, he took the regular season points standings lead with the win at Watkins Glen.
On the day, Connor Zilisch led 60 of 82 laps and put on one of the most phenomenal drives of his young NASCAR career. He had the fastest car and handily winning stage two. In the final stage, he took down every challenger and made it through several severe wrecks that slowed the race.
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com