NASCAR rookie Connor Zilisch was excluded in the Cup Series at Watkins Glen International in New York after breaking his collarbone after falling down the racing roof on Saturday.
The 19-year-old won the Mission 200 in the Glen Xfinity series and climbed from his 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet to celebrate. He had one foot on the roof, one on the ledge of the window, and he was posing for a photo when he lost his balance and fell to the ground.
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He was taken on the rebound and on the hospital through an ambulance. Zilisch went to social media late Saturday and said he had no fear of a head injury.
He posted to X and said, “Thank you all for helping out today. I’ve left the hospital and it’s been better. Fortunately, the CT scan of my head was obvious and I just had a ruptured clavicle. Thanks to all the medical staff for their quick attention and thanks for the disadvantage.”
Victory is Zilisch’s sixth place this season. He was scheduled to bowl at Glen on Sunday afternoon, but track and field racing announced that Zilisch’s No. 87 Chevrolet had been withdrawn.
NASCAR confirmed that he was “wake and alert” while receiving medical care.
Zilisch plans to host a busy weekend in Watkins Glen, New York. He finished eighth in Friday’s Truck Series and finished No. 25 in the Cup Series.
North Carolina native Zilisch is expected to participate in the Cup Series full time in 2026.
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