NASCAR Xfinity Series standings leader Connor Zilisch, who broke his left collarbone when he fell off his car in victory lane at Watkins Glen while celebrating his sixth win this season, couldn’t resist showing his hospital wrist band that said “Fall Risk” on social media.
The “Fall Risk” wristband is always placed on a person’s arm at the hospital when undergoing surgery due to the anesthesia that’s used.
Zilisch announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he underwent surgery Tuesday to get a plate and screws placed in his collarbone 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,” the 19-year-old JR Motorsports driver said on X.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series is off this weekend. There are three races remaining in the regular season with the playoffs beginning Sept. 12 at Bristol.
Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks, who has a driver development contract with Zilisch, said that when Zilisch returned to competition would 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,” Marks said.
“He’s a huge asset and he’s a huge part of the future of the business. We have to … make sure that we’re not hurting any long-term opportunities by taking advantage of a short-term opportunity. We have to sit down as a group and decide what’s best.”
Shane van Gisbergen, who had a similar injury when he raced V8 Supercars, said Zilisch would feel the most pain when he pulled on his shoulder harness to tighten his safety belts.
“I could really feel the plate through the skin, and it was a horrible feeling,” said Van Gisbergen, who broke his left collarbone in 2021 while racing V8 Supercars.
“Mine was a bit out by the AC (acromioclavicular joint). I did a bit more damage to my shoulder and, also, I had a fake ligament put in, but I had a weekend off and then I raced the next week. So, pretty much what he’s (Zilisch) going to go through. Once the plate is in there, it’s stronger than the bone was.”
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