Connor Zilisch breaks collarbone in Victory Lane fall after Xfinity win; withdrawn from Sunday Cup race
NASCAR Xfinity Series points leader Connor Zilisch suffered a broken collarbone after slipping off his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet while celebrating Saturday’s Mission 200 victory at Watkins Glen International. Safety crews stabilized the 19-year-old on a backboard and transported him from the infield care center to a local hospital, where he was evaluated and later released. Zilisch said scans showed no head injury and thanked medics for the rapid response.
The incident occurred moments after the finish when Zilisch climbed toward the roof for photos and lost his footing. He wrote on social media that his CT scans were clear and confirmed the collarbone fracture; NASCAR and multiple outlets echoed that he had been “awake and alert” before transport.
Trackhouse Racing withdrew the No. 87 Cup entry Zilisch was slated to drive in Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen, ending plans for what would have been his fourth Cup start of the season. Reuters and NBC Sports reported the withdrawal as the team shifted focus to his recovery.
Zilisch dominated large stretches of the 82-lap Xfinity race, leading a race-high 60 laps en route to his sixth series win of 2025. Official box-score summaries and race reports confirmed the laps-led total and margin over runner-up Sam Mayer.
Speaking to NBC Sports during Sunday’s Cup broadcast, Zilisch described the fall, saying he lost his footing as water hit the car during the celebration. He added he’s “grateful it wasn’t any worse” and will concentrate on healing before setting a return timeline. The Xfinity Series is off next weekend and returns August 22 at Daytona International Speedway.
What’s next will depend on medical clearance. For now, the verified details are straightforward: a victory at Watkins Glen, a post-race fall that resulted in a broken collarbone, clear head scans, and a withdrawn Cup start while Zilisch recovers.