19-year-old Connor Zilisch fell from his race-winning car at Watkins Glen in a frightening moment that left the entire NASCAR community stunned. Thankfully, he escaped with only broken collarbone, which prevented him from competing in the NASCAR Cup race on Sunday.

However, the focus is now on getting Zilisch fully healed in time to compete for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship. The rookie sensation has six wins this year, and currently leads the regular season point standings. The next race takes place at Daytona International Speedway on August 22nd, and there but still three races until the NXS playoffs get underway.

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On Tuesday, Zilisch provided the following update regarding his recovery: “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 taken away via stretcher, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

The teenager has also been using humor after his Victory Lane tumble went viral, responding to video of the fall with the following message: “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.”

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Zilisch also appeared on the Door Bumper Clear podcast this week, his right arm in a sling. “The last thing I remember, I was split on the door so I had one leg in and one leg out of the car,” he said on the podcast. “The last I remember, and I don’t know why, but I thought I was going to break my femur. My leg was stuck. I thought I was done.”

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Winner Connor Zilisch leaves on a stretcher in scary Victory Lane fall

Connor Zilisch suffers broken collarbone in shocking fall while celebrating win

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With two-thirds of the NASCAR Cup Series races in his rearview mirror, Glendale native Michael McDowell is looking to make his way up the standings under the lights this Saturday in Richmond.

Over the first 24 races of the season, McDowell has tallied two top-five, three top-10 and 12 top-20 finishes. The 2021 Daytona 500 winner is currently 22nd in points, 44 markers below the playoff cutline.

He will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Go Workforce Chevrolet ZL1 in Saturday’s 400-lap race at Richmond Raceway. The Cook Out 400 engines roar at 4:30 p.m. Arizona time.

Kyle Petty’s Next Gen comments have lit a fire in the NASCAR world, Carson Hocevar’s clash with Michael McDowell stirred up garage drama, and Spire Motorsports once again found itself in the middle of a mid-season shake-up. Add in a big Truck Series seat swap, Petty’s social media follow-up, and a fresh set of Cup Series power rankings, and this week’s NASCAR storylines are loaded.

• Was Carson Hocevar justified in his post-race frustration after getting hit twice by his veteran teammate?
• What’s behind Spire Motorsports cutting a truck and letting Andres Perez de Lara go despite recent signs of improvement?
• Did Kyle Petty miss the point in defending the Next Gen car, or is he right that fans need patience?
• Which drivers rose or fell in the latest Cup Series power rankings after Watkins Glen?

The mix of heated radio chatter, sudden driver moves, and a high-profile debate over NASCAR’s premier car makes for one of the busier news cycles we’ve had lately. Some of these changes could ripple into the playoffs, others could shape how teams approach 2025, and the Petty vs. critics discussion is bound to keep fans divided. One thing’s certain: the conversation won’t cool off before Richmond under the lights this weekend.

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The race for the last playoff spots comes down to the final races of the regular season in the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series.

Shane van Gisbergen’s victory in last weekend’s Cup race at Watkins Glen didn’t alter the playoff standings for those trying secure one of the last spots. Thirteen drivers are in via wins, leaving three positions open with two races left in the regular season.

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Tyler Reddick is 117 points above the cutline, Alex Bowman is 60 points above the cutline, and Chris Buescher holds the final playoff spot by 34 points.

Ryan Preece, Buescher’s RFK Racing teammate, is the first driver outside a playoff spot. Preece is 34 points behind Buescher heading into Saturday night’s race at Richmond — coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on USA Network.

Here is a look at the Cup playoff standings (drivers in yellow have won and clinched a spot in the playoffs):

Xfinity Series

The Xfinity Series, which is off this weekend, has three races left in the regular season. Eight drivers have secured playoff spots with wins, leaving four spots open.

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Carson Kvapil is 112 points above the cutline, Sheldon Creed is 77 points above the cutline, Taylor Gray is 76 points above the cutline and Harrison Burton holds the final playoff spot.

Jeb Burton is the first driver outside a playoff spot. He’s 30 points below the cutline. Ryan Sieg is 38 points below the cutline.

The series is back in action Aug. 22 at Daytona.

Craftsman Truck Series

Friday night’s race at Richmond is the final race of the regular season for the Truck Series.

Two spots remain via points. Kaden Honeycutt is 65 points above the cutline. Jake Garcia holds the final playoff spot by 11 points on Ben Rhodes and 21 points on Giovanni Ruggiero.

In the past, there have been several films that feature motorsports at the forefront. The most famous example of this is the Cars film series. The second part of the animated film even brought in the highest amount for a film about motorsports ever.

F1 the Movie overtakes Cars 2

Sequel to the F1 Movie?

For Adrian Rudisell, Catawba College has always felt like home.

A native of Salisbury, North Carolina, his earliest memories of the College date back to childhood visits to the Sam Moir Christmas Basketball Tournament and youth track meets at Shuford Stadium. But it was a meaningful connection forged on the track in high school that ultimately sealed his decision to become a Catawba student.

“I was a thrower at North Rowan High School, and Catawba’s jumpers and throwers would come practice at our facilities,” Rudisell recalls. “They were so open, kind, and patient with me. I truly felt like I was already a member of the team.” That moment of belonging made his college choice clear.

As a Sport Management major at Catawba, Rudisell thrived under the guidance of faculty and staff who challenged and supported him. He credits professors like Dr. Duane Aagaard and Dr. Troy Carlton for fostering a strong academic foundation and inspiring him to lead with integrity. “Courses like Sports Philosophy & Ethics helped me learn how to make sound decisions and understand the deeper meaning behind sport,” he shares.

Rudisell’s journey took a pivotal turn when he joined the Sport Biz Career Fellowship, a prestigious internship experience that connected him during the Summer of 2024 with 23XI Racing, the NASCAR team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. “I knew nothing about racing,” he says with a smile, “but I took a leap of faith. That internship opened my eyes to the world of motorsports—and I fell in love with it.”

His resume quickly filled with real-world experience—from helping the athletic director at North Rowan organize sporting events, to contributing to strategic partnership planning at 23XI, to learning the ins and outs of event operations at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “Not many undergraduate students have had exposure to a team (23XI Racing), a track (Charlotte Motor Speedway), and a league (NASCAR) in this industry,” Rudisell notes. “That perspective is invaluable.”

This year, Adrian stepped into a new chapter as the Senior Coordinator for Growth Engagement and Inclusion at NASCAR. In his role, he’s tasked with developing marketing strategies that engage diverse audiences and expand the sport’s reach into new markets. “I’m excited about meeting people where they are, inviting them into the sport, and ultimately leaving it better than I found it,” he says.

“We could not be prouder of Adrian,” said Dr. Duane Aagaard, Chair of Sport Management at Catawba College. “He embodies everything we hope for in our graduates—passion, persistence, humility, and a commitment to making a difference. Watching Adrian grow from a local student into a leader in motorsports is both inspiring and deeply rewarding.”

Reflecting on his time at Catawba, Rudisell offers heartfelt advice to current students: “Make the most of your time. Grow as a person and a professional. One of my favorite quotes is, ‘When the opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare.’ So take advantage of every resource and every conversation while you can.”

Dr. Troy Carlton, Sport Management faculty and mentor, added, “What I think were Adrian’s most powerful traits were his perseverance tied to his positive attitude. People can look at his story and think, “Wow, he had success at everything he did.” The truth of the matter is, Adrian earned everything he has today, even with a bunch of NO’s thrown his way. He is a living example of what happens when students work their butt off and never quit going after their dream.”

For Rudisell, representing Catawba in the world of motorsports isn’t just a professional achievement—it’s deeply personal. “This is a testament to the village that raised me. I was never put in a box at Catawba. I had the support, guidance, and space to chart my course,” he reflects. “Anyone here can do the same. I’m living proof of that.”