JR Motorsports will have a sub driver for Texas Motor Speedway after Zilisch crashed at Talladega Superspeedway
Jesse Love was shoving Connor Zilisch off turn two. Zilisch was pushed to the race lead. However, as they went down the back, Love turned left and looked to his inside.
Zilisch turned down to block the run. Instead, he was hooked in the left rear. Zilisch was sent hard into the inside wall.
The 18-year-old driver climbed from the car under his own power. However, as he climbed out he took a bit of time resting on the door.
“I’m okay. That’s one of those wrecks where you move your legs and make sure everything feels okay,” Zilisch stated after exiting the infield care center.
“Jesse’s probably my best friend in the world. Grateful to have someone like him come, stand in front of me and give me a hug after something like that.”
Heading into this week, Zilisch is still removing from an injury to his lower back. JR Motorsports has selected Kyle Larson to be the fill-in driver for the No. 88 car.
JR Motorsports statement
On Wednesday, JR Motorsports issued the following statement:
“Kyle Larson will sub for Connor Zilisch behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway as Zilisch continues to recover from a lower back injury sustained last weekend at Talladega.”
Connor Zilisch comments
“Thank you to Kyle Larson for stepping up for me this weekend and everyone who has helped me through this process. Doing everything I can to be back as soon as possible,” Connor Zilisch stated.
Zilisch is currently in his first full-time season of NASCAR Xfinity Series competition. In 11 races, he’s put one in the win column and collected three top 10s.
Talladega Results: April 26, 2025 (NASCAR Xfinity Series)
