NASCAR will not adjust driver victory lane celebrations in the immediate future after Connor Zilisch’s fall from his car in victory lane at Watkins Glen left him with a broken collarbone. Zilisch, the Xfinity Series points leader, slid from the car as water was sprayed, causing a tumble that required surgery this week.
Zilisch described the moment of the incident: he climbed onto the car, set his leg on the window net, and as the celebration spray began, his footing failed. “I remember, I got up on the car and I put my leg on the window net on the door and as soon as they started spraying water, it just kind of started to slide and I lost my footing,” he said. “I remember my legs split the door, I had one outside the door, one in the door and that’s when I started to tumble.”
The rookie driver underwent surgery on Tuesday to insert a plate and screws to repair the broken collarbone, and there is no timetable yet for his return. The Xfinity Series is currently off until August 22 at Daytona International Speedway.
Among those reacting to the incident was Zilisch’s teammate Shane van Gisbergen, who noted he would not typically climb on the roof or risk the same situation in victory lane. Van Gisbergen said he avoided such celebratory acrobatics, pointing out that the risk is real even for the most careful winners.
Denny Hamlin, who hosts a podcast focused on NASCAR politics and safety, acknowledged that Zilisch’s fall could influence how drivers approach celebrations. On his show, Hamlin suggested he might rethink his own post-race routine, joking about the possibility of simply staying seated at the top of the car instead of engaging in a roof climb.
Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks weighed in on the practical side of the situation, indicating that any decision about Zilisch’s return would be collaborative. “It’s going to have to be a group decision,” Marks said, underscoring that safety will be a central factor in any plan for the young driver’s comeback.
The discussion of celebrations isn’t new in NASCAR. Earlier this year, Josh Berry climbed onto the roof after winning at Las Vegas, a moment that prompted reflection from other drivers about whether the window net and door setup is being used safely during celebrations. Berry himself acknowledged that Zilisch’s fall could lead the sport to rethink how drivers celebrate while remaining mindful of the risk.
Not all of the feedback has suggested restricting celebrations. Seven-time Cup winner Austin Cindric, who is tall for a racer, offered a nuanced view: he’s not anticipating a drastic change in how he celebrates. “The morale of the story is you might as well stand on the roof,” he said, adding that he wouldn’t necessarily be deterred from showing enthusiasm after a win. He emphasized that drivers still want to celebrate, but the incident serves as a reminder to be careful.
The Watkins Glen moment and Zilisch’s injury come as NASCAR prepares for its upcoming events, including a major weekend at Richmond where Denny Hamlin will chase a sixth Cup win, while other contenders loom as capable challengers. The sport’s leadership indicated that there will be careful consideration of safety in celebration protocols, but no formal changes have been announced at this time.
In the meantime, Zilisch’s recovery will be watched closely by teams and drivers across NASCAR’s top two national series. The Xfinity schedule resumes on August 22 at Daytona, giving the sport time to review and discuss how celebrations could be adjusted to protect drivers without dampening the victory moments that fans love to see.
Summary:
Connor Zilisch’s victory lane mishap at Watkins Glen led to a broken collarbone and surgery, prompting a broad discussion about safety in post-race celebrations. NASCAR has not announced any rule changes yet, but quotes from drivers and team personnel highlight a potential shift toward more conservative celebration practices. The situation will likely influence how teams approach victories in the near term as everyone waits for Zilisch’s return and for further dialogue on safety protocols.
Optional value-add for readers:
– Quick take for fans: Expect conversations around celebration safety to intensify in the coming weeks, with teams potentially agreeing on safer post-race routines while preserving the celebratory spirit.
– Contextual note: The discussion echoes ongoing safety conversations in motorsports about the balance between spectacle and athlete protection, especially for athletes who have just endured long, physically demanding races.