Two weeks ago, Connor Zilisch drove to victory lane on the road course of Watkins Glen International. But, he was carried out of it.
Zilisch stood on the roof of his car to celebrate his win. He slipped on the window net that hung over the door and he slammed the pavement, face first.
The race winner was out cold. The safety team put him in a neck brace and carried him on a stretcher to the ambulance.
Shortly after, Zilisch went into surgery for a broken collar bone. He was cleared on all other scans.
Connor Zilisch falls unconscious after NASCAR win (Video)
Now, just two weeks later, Zilisch is returning to the car. He’ll qualify tomorrow in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Daytona International Speedway.
Zilisch stated via X, “Cya tomorrow DAYTONA thank you to my doctors, surgeons, and everyone who has supported me through this ordeal.”
He shared a text message that read, “Letter has been received. Email has been sent. You are officially cleared.”
As of now, Zilisch will attempt to qualify the car on Friday at Daytona International Speedway. Parker Kligerman will be on standby as a reserve driver.
Zilisch remains unclear if he will climb out of the car during the race. If he does, Zilisch will still earn points for the event via reserve driver Kligerman. However, he will not earn any additional playoff points if that driver switch takes place.
NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch has surgery after fall in victory lane
“That video has probably been viewed over 100 million times and to think that’s what is going to get a 100M views in our sport, kinda sucks,” Connor Zilisch told Bob Pockrass.
“But, those are the things that go viral in the world we live in. As much as I hate that’s what our sport is getting eyeballs for and that’s why I’m on ABC World News, Jimmy Kimmel, that’s part of it.”
“I was just on a call with Adam Alexander and he was like, ‘It was the most awkward 2 minutes of TV I think I’ve ever had in my life.’ I hate that I did that to them.”
“I got the wrong eyeballs on NASCAR but I’m glad that it wasn’t any worse. I’m glad my leg and my head are okay for the hit I took.”
“It could have been much worse. I can laugh at it now but I will remember that race forever for probably the wrong reason.”
He’s the current points leader in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
