NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch posted an update on social media after undergoing surgery for his broken collarbone. The 19-year-old driver fell off his car while celebrating his race win at Watkins Glen International.
Zilisch’s fall made headlines during the recent race weekend, given the intensity with which he fell head first. While a head injury was ruled out, Zilisch’s broken collarbone needed to be fixed soon for him to be race-ready for the Wawa 250 at the Daytona International Speedway on August 22.
Newsweek Sports reported Zilisch’s comments following his fall, where he admitted that he might need surgery for a faster recovery. He said:
“I think it might be something that I might have to get surgery for. But in this case, I think surgery is something that speeds up the process, so you can get plates and screws and get it reconstructed back together.
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
“Shane [van Gisbergen] talked about it — he had an injury in 2021 and broke his collarbone — he had plates, screws, everything done and he was racing back the next weekend. Thankfully, the collarbone is a relatively quick bone to fix and heal.”
Related: NASCAR’s Connor Zilisch Gets Trolled by His Father After ‘Embarrassing’ Fall
“We’re still working out with all the doctors to figure out what’s gonna be the next steps. But I’ve got a little motivation from Shane [van Gisbergen], my teammate, he had a plate put in and raced the weekend after. So, I don’t know if I’ll be that quick but hopefully my young bones will heal fast, and I’ll be able to get back in it as soon as possible.”
Now, the 2025 Xfinity Series standings leader has confirmed that he underwent surgery on his collarbone. He posted on X:
“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. Been a tough few days for me mentally, but all the love you guys have shown has certainly helped. Thank you.”
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. Been a tough few days for me mentally, but all the love you guys have shown has certainly helped. Thank you❤️
— Connor Zilisch (@ConnorZilisch) August 12, 2025
As a result of the injury, Zilisch was unable to race the following day in the Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing. On the topic of Zilisch’s racing return, Trackhouse’s team owner Justin Marks opened up. He said:
“I think it’s a discussion that we all have to have. We haven’t really talked about much, obviously, since yesterday, but in the little bit that we’ve discussed in some of the quiet moments over the last 24 hours, it’s going to have to be a group decision.
“It’s going to have to be sponsors, Chevrolet, the team, taking care of his development, taking care of him as a human and as an athlete, and then keeping his motivations high and making sure he knows he’s got a group of people behind him that are supportive of him.”