Connor Zilisch Undergoes Surgery Following Collarbone Injury at Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen, NY – Connor Zilisch, the 19-year-old driver for JR Motorsports, has undergone successful surgery to repair a broken collarbone sustained during a celebratory incident in victory lane at Watkins Glen. Zilisch shared the news via social media, detailing that he received a plate and screws to aid his recovery. He expressed gratitude for the support he received during a challenging time.
The injury occurred when Zilisch fell from his Chevrolet after slipping off the door while celebrating his victory. Fortunately, he escaped with only the collarbone injury, despite his left leg and ankle becoming entangled in the window net during the fall. He was transported from the scene on a backboard and subsequently released from a local hospital the same night.
As a consequence of the injury, Zilisch missed the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen, marking his final scheduled appearance in the series this season. JR Motorsports has yet to confirm whether he will also miss upcoming Xfinity Series events. The Xfinity Series is currently on a break and will resume on August 22 at Daytona International Speedway, with three races remaining in the regular season.
Despite the setback, Zilisch continues to lead the Xfinity Series with six victories and sits atop the championship standings, holding a seven-point advantage over teammate Justin Allgaier and a 24-point lead over Sam Mayer from Haas Factory Team. Further updates on his recovery and participation in upcoming races are anticipated as the series progresses.
