Less than two weeks ago, NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch went from winning at Watkins Glen, then falling and breaking his collarbone. The rooftop celebration disaster rippled through the internet like wildfire as even people who know nothing about NASCAR or racing watched the incident in horror.
NASCAR won’t be banning rooftop celebrations.
Now, Zilisch has announced he will be racing tonight at Daytona. As the points leader in the Xfinity Series, as a driver he needs to stay on top of things, lest a competitor usurp him. Even though everyone understands the man’s drive to win, some are questioning the wisdom behind the plan.
However, Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockgrass believes he knows what JR Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing have planned for Zilisch’s return, or at least what’s “most likely” to happen.
He believes the team will have Zilisch start at the Wawa 250 tonight, drop the rear of the field, then jump out of the race after the first caution. Then they’ll replace him with Parker Kligerman, the team’s fill-in driver.
That might be the strategy. After all, the 19-year-old hasn’t had all that long to mend after what we consider a big injury.
Back on August 12, Zilisch took to social media to give an update on his injury. Posting a photo of him wearing a sling and with a bag of ice on his shoulder, he announced that he just got out of surgery. Doctors installed a plate and screws to hold everything together while the bone heals.
The driver said the injury had been difficult for his “mentally” but he was getting through it.
We’re sure getting back behind the wheel will be good for Zilisch’s mental health. Hopefully it doesn’t have a negative effect on his physical well-being, something that’s surely been considered by the team.
Image via Connor Zilisch/Facebook
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