The NASCAR driver fell when he stood on the top of his car in victory lane at Watkins Glen International; Suffering a broken bone
Smash! That was the sound of Connor Zilisch slamming head first to the concrete in victory lane on Saturday after his NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Watkins Glen International.
He slipped on the window net and his foot was trapped inside the car as he took a step on the roof of the car in victory lane. The race winner was knocked out and the celebrations turned completely silent.
Connor Zilisch falls unconscious after NASCAR win (Video)
Zilisch was placed on a stretcher along with a neck brace. He was taken to the ambulance and later transported to a local hospital.
He checked out of the hospital later that day with a broken collar bone. The 19-year-old was cleared on all the other scans.
The driver returned to the track the next day for the NASCAR Cup Series race. And he was told by a Cup Series driver that NASCAR had introduced new victory lane rules to them in the drivers’ meeting…
Connor Zilisch comments
“The last thing I remember is thinking, I don’t know why but I thought I was going to break my femur,” Connor Zilisch stated via the Door Bumper Clear podcast on Monday.
“My leg was stuck. I thought I was going to get caught in the headrest and just, I thought I was done.”
“Apparently, the first thing I said when I came back to life and was resurrected, I was talking to the medics like, ‘I’m good. I’m good.’ Like, ‘My shoulder hurts a little but but that’s it.’ “
“They’re like, ‘No. We’re putting you on the stretcher.’ I’m in this neck brace and I’m getting pulled away on the stretcher.”
“The first words that came out of my mouth there were legitimate were, ‘God, everyone’s going to think I’m a (expletive).’ “
“I was like, ‘Why am I on a stretcher right now? I feel fine.’ I didn’t realize what had happened.”
Without the race winning driver, the victory lane photo shoot was canceled.
“I was going to go to victory lane when I was at the track [Sunday] and take a picture in victory lane. But, I didn’t.”
“I’m not going to name names, but a driver, we were at the airport and he goes, ‘Yeah, in our pre-race meeting today, the competition director said that if we win, we can’t stand on the car anymore.’ “
Zilisch added, “It was like a new rule for them. I’ve killed celebrations.”
“Now that I know I’ll be alright, it’s gonna be tough to make a comeback from this generational aura debt. Dang, at least I won.”
Watch the video of the fall here
Update: Connor Zilisch has surgery
On Tuesday, Zilisch went into surgery. He then posted the following update:
“Wanted to give everyone a quick update. Had surgery on my collarbone this morning to get a plate and screws to help with the healing process,” Zilisch stated via social media.
He added, “Been a tough few days for me mentally, but all the love you guys have shown has certainly helped. Thank you.”
Connor Zilisch comments on his recovery and the timeline for a return
Update: NASCAR comments on victory lane celebrations
“I think that was part of the problem that the window net was flapping on the outside,” NASCAR managing director of communications Mike Forde stated via the “Hauler Talk” podcast.
“I think Connor even said that may have been a problem, and one of our safety guys actually mentioned the same thing. So, we may do just sort of a check to make sure that if that’s inside the car, it’s one less thing you can slip on.”
“We have not put in any policies or best practices or anything like that,” Forde added.
Links
Connor Zilisch | Watkins Glen International | NASCAR
