NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch has been released from the hospital after breaking his collarbone in a post-race victory celebration gone horribly wrong.
The promising 19-year-old driver won the NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 in Watkins Glen, New York on Saturday, surviving 82 laps against 37 other cars without incident.
Things turned far more dangerous for Zilisch in victory lane afterwards as the North Carolina native struggled to extract himself from his No. 88 Chevrolet.
As he attempted to hoist himself onto the roof of the car while holding a drink sponsor’s can, Zilisch slipped. Although he nearly caught himself, Zilisch foot was still stuck inside his driver’s side window, preventing a clean escape.
Instead, Zilisch came crashing down to the pavement, where he lay motionless as horrified onlookers slowly moved in to check on him.
‘Thank you everybody for reaching out today,’ Zilisch has since written on X. ‘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.’
Connor Zilisch poses for photos on the bricks after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 and JR Motorsports 100th NASCAR Xfinity Series in Indianapolis on July 26
Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 at The Glen on Saturday
The freak injury capped an already eventful day for one of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s young drivers with he JR Motorsports team.
On lap 65, Zilisch wrecked teammate Shane van Gisbergen while vying for the lead.
He was dropped to fifth on the restart, but managed to retake the lead with five laps remaining.
‘He did such a great job of getting back through the field and getting the lead,’ crew chief Mardy Lindley told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. ‘Praying for Connor right now that he´s OK. I think he´s going to be fine.’
Zilisch has battled other injuries this season, including a back problem he sustained during a crash at Talladega.
Since then, however, Zilisch has 11 straight to-five finish, including five victories.
