JR Motorsports’ Connor Zilisch escaped with only a broken collarbone after falling hard from his No. 88 Chevrolet in victory lane while preparing to celebrate his victory after Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International.

He was put onto a stretcher, taken to the infield care center, and then taken to a local hospital, where CT scans were clear and indicated no head injury.

All things considered, the collarbone fracture being the only significant development here was a blessing, as the worst-case scenario was avoided from a total freak accident that absolutely nobody would have ever seen coming.

Now for the question everybody is asking: when is Connor Zilisch coming back?

Zilisch was supposed to compete in Sunday’s Cup race at Watkins Glen with Trackhouse Racing, ahead of an expected full-time Cup announcement for 2026, but that obviously didn’t happen.

No two injuries are alike. But generally speaking, most people recover from a broken collarbone in six to eight weeks.

And for whatever it’s worth, children often recover quicker than that (three to four weeks); Zilisch only just turned 19.

In any event, as long as Zilisch does actually return in 2025, it’s hard to see him not being granted a playoff waiver. And for that reason, you could argue that, if this injury was ever going to happen, it happened at the best possible time.

The Xfinity Series has off next week before three weekends in a row of races at Daytona International Speedway, Portland International Raceway, and World Wide Technology Raceway to close out the regular season. So the playoffs aren’t scheduled to begin for another five weekends at Bristol Motor Speedway.

But even after the first playoff race at Bristol, the Xfinity Series has another weekend off before the next race at Kansas Speedway.

That race, from now, is just under seven weeks away.

Zilisch, who has already been granted one playoff waiver after missing the race at Texas Motor Speedway with a back injury, leads all drivers with 36 playoff points.

Only one other driver has more than eight, and even if the Charlotte, North Carolina native misses the rest of the regular season, he is poised to earn at least seven or eight more based on his points finish. He is the current points leader, and it’s hard to see him falling more than maybe two or three spots, even if he’s done for the regular season.

He could very well miss the first playoff race at Bristol and still enter Kansas well above the cut line, and that’s if you assume a seven-week recovery.

Again, no two injuries are alike. We have no idea when Zilisch will be back. I’m sure he’d like to be back for Daytona, and let’s be clear: he technically hasn’t even been ruled out of that race yet.

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Hendrick Motorsports stars Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott have both responded to rumors that they have an ongoing beef.

The NASCAR rumor mill was in full swing last week after multiple collisions between the Hendrick Motorsports teammates at Iowa Speedway had Larson throwing a ton of profanity at his team radio channel.

It was a miserable afternoon for Larson as he eventually finished 28th, but that contact with Elliott was only part of the reason for his troubles.

Both drivers were asked about any fallout from Iowa when they rocked up at Watkins Glen over the weekend, and both were quick to try and stop things getting out of hand.

READ MORE: NASCAR confirm Kyle Larson demotion after Watkins Glen nightmare

Larson on Elliott

Larson claimed: “Everybody’s making a big deal about Chase. I really wasn’t that mad at Chase, and too, after seeing the replays and stuff, I was less frustrated.

“I move on from things quickly. I don’t really even think that there was a need for a conversation. I’ve ran into him way more, so no, I’m all good and moved on from it.”

Larson emphasized that Elliott was not the main reason for his frustration, adding: “It wasn’t what I thought it was from the seat. I was less frustrated with him than I was others. It was just everything kind of compiled and I was trying to keep my cool and then I just exploded.”

READ MORE: NASCAR Cup Series star issues retirement verdict after huge official announcement

Elliott responds

Elliott was surprised to be even asked about any fallout, telling media: “I didn’t know there was any issue, honestly. I just feel like we were going for the same gap at the same time. I didn’t think any of that was intentional, either way.

“So yeah, I haven’t felt the need [to talk to Larson]. If we need to talk, we will, I’m sure. But we haven’t had any issues.”

Sunday at Watkins Glen did not go much better for the superstar teammates, as Elliott finished 26th and Larson 39th. The race was won in dominant fashion by New Zealand’s road-course superstar Shane van Gisbergen.

READ MORE: NASCAR team facing multiple penalties after Watkins Glen incident

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The NASCAR driver fell when he stood on the top of his car in victory lane at Watkins Glen International; Suffering a broken bone

Smash! That was the sound of Connor Zilisch slamming head first to the concrete in victory lane on Saturday after his NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Watkins Glen International.

He slipped on the window net and his foot was trapped inside the car as he took a step on the roof of the car in victory lane. The race winner was knocked out and the celebrations turned completely silent.

Connor Zilisch falls unconscious after NASCAR win (Video)

Zilisch was placed on a stretcher along with a neck brace. He was taken to the ambulance and later transported to a local hospital.

He checked out of the hospital later that day with a broken collar bone. He was cleared on all the other scans.

The driver returned to the track the next day for the NASCAR Cup Series race. And he was told by a Cup Series driver that NASCAR had introduced new victory lane rules to them in the drivers’ meeting…

Connor Zilisch comments

“The last thing I remember is thinking, I don’t know why but I thought I was going to break my femur,” Connor Zilisch stated via the Door Bumper Clear podcast on Monday.

“My leg was stuck. I thought I was going to get caught in the headrest and just, I thought I was done.”

“Apparently, the first thing I said when I came back to life and was resurrected, I was talking to the medics like, ‘I’m good. I’m good.’ Like, ‘My shoulder hurts a little but but that’s it.’ “

“They’re like, ‘No. We’re putting you on the stretcher.’ I’m in this neck brace and I’m getting pulled away on the stretcher.”

“The first words that came out of my mouth there were legitimate were, ‘God, everyone’s going to think I’m a (expletive).’ “

“I was like, ‘Why am I on a stretcher right now? I feel fine.’ I didn’t realize what had happened.”

Without the race winning driver, the victory lane photo shoot was canceled.

“I was going to go to victory lane when I was at the track [Sunday] and take a picture in victory lane. But, I didn’t.”

“I’m not going to name names, but a driver, we were at the airport and he goes, ‘Yeah, in our pre-race meeting today, the competition director said that if we win, we can’t stand on the car anymore.’ “

Zilisch added, “It was like a new rule for them. I’ve killed celebrations.”

Watch the video of the fall here

Connor Zilisch comments on his recovery and the timeline for a return

Links

Connor Zilisch | Watkins Glen International | NASCAR

Mexican driver Andres Perez de Lara is joining Niece Motorsports for the remainder of the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Perez de Lara will take over the wheel starting at Richmond Raceway this weekend for Niece.

He completed 17 races with Spire Motorsports over the season, finishing in the top 10 twice, and sits P17 in the Truck Series standings.

Spire released Perez de Lara from his deal, allowing him to explore other options.

No clear indication was provided as to why the parties split up, but it appears to be mutual, considering Spire Motorsports President Bill Anthony wished the Mexican driver well.

“Andrés has made meaningful progress this season, and we remain confident in his future,” Anthony said in a statement.

“While we haven’t finalized our 2026 plans for the No. 77 team, we wanted to give him the opportunity to look ahead and pursue other options for the remainder of this year and beyond.

“He’s a hard worker, carries himself with humility, and brings a consistently positive attitude to the garage. He comes from a great family, and we fully expect him to continue making strides as part of Chevrolet’s driver development program. We’re proud to have been part of his journey and will continue cheering him on.”

As for the driver, he appears ready for the move, welcoming the challenge of a mid-season change and excited for the prospect of racing with Niece.

“Overall, I’m really excited about the upcoming races with Niece Motorsports,” Pérez de Lara said.

“Making a change mid-season always has its challenges, but the team and I are working hard to be 100% by the time Richmond comes.

“I’m really focusing on having a good race there and feel very motivated with how the team has treated me. I feel the team is also motivated with having me there as well.”

Who is Andres Perez de Lara?

Born in Mexico City, Perez de Lara is a 20-year-old race car driver who previously competed in Formula 4 before moving on to stock car racing.

He began racing in karting at the age of 11, working his way up the Latin American racing ladder and then coming stateside for NASCAR.

The Mexican was signed by a Chevrolet development team back in 2023 and competed in ARCA before arriving at the Truck Series.

This season, he sits third in the rookie standings before the regular season finale Sunday as he chases the Rookie of the Year award.

For more NASCAR news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.

‘Enough’ – NASCAR Fans Demand Change For 2026 Season originally appeared on The Spun.

NASCAR fans are demanding a major change for the 2026 season, though it’s probably not possible at this point.

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The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series arrived in New York over the weekend. The Go Bowling at The Glen race took place on Sunday afternoon. Shane Van Gisbergen took home the checkered flag, adding to his big-time rookie season.

NBC Sports named him the “biggest winner” of the weekend – it’s hard to argue with that, obviously.

“Scored his fourth consecutive road course victory, winning by 11.1 seconds — the second largest margin of victory in Cup history at Watkins Glen. He becomes the third driver in series history to win four consecutive road course races. He is the first driver to win four road course races in a season,” NBC Sports writes.

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But while the weekend was a good one for Van Gisbergen, it was not for many NASCAR Cup Series fans.

NASCAR fans are more than fed up with the current car, the Next Gen Car, which came into use in 2022. The car was supposed to feature “improved” aero and downforce packages while adding new technology to the sport. It was also supposed to decrease costs and bring in new equipment manufacturers.

While that all could still be true, NASCAR fans are not happy with what the Next Gen Car has done to racing.

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“The Next Gen is the worst race car that has ever been used in NASCAR,” one fan wrote following Sunday’s race.

Most seem to be in agreement. They would love to see some kind of major NASCAR Cup Series car change for 2026 and beyond.

“I hate how the Next Gen has made our fans want the Cup series to stop going to some of the most beautiful and unique race tracks in North America,” one fan added.

“I speak for the ENTIRE fanbase when I say we need LESS road course races with the Next Gen,” one fan added.

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“The Next Gen car needs to be nerfed, it drives too good and now the racing isn’t good. We need race cars that suck at braking and cornering for great racing,” one fan added.

“If next gen was capable of racing like Xfinity on road courses people would stop complaining about road courses,” one fan added.

“The NASCAR Cup Series schedule SHOULD NOT be molded around the Next Gen car. The Next Gen car should be molded to the race tracks the series has attended for decades. The lack of development on this car is ridiculous,” one fan added.

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NASCAR fans are fed up, but it remains to be seen if any major changes will be made for 2026 and beyond.

‘Enough’ – NASCAR Fans Demand Change For 2026 Season first appeared on The Spun on Aug 11, 2025

This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.