NASCAR’s Connor Zilisch taken to hospital after fall in victory lane

NASCAR phenom Connor Zilisch was taken to a local hospital Saturday night near Watkins Glen, N.Y., after he lost his balance and fell off his car in victory lane.

Zilisch had just won Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International, a triumphant sixth victory of a remarkable rookie season, when he appeared to lose his footing while standing on his car’s window ledge during the traditional victory pose for photographers.

The CW’s television cameras showed him fall to the ground and lie motionless after apparently hitting his head on the concrete floor of victory lane. The footage cut away after a few seconds of showing Zilisch not moving; the network later showed him being carried out of victory lane on a backboard, and pit reporter Dillon Welch told viewers Zilisch was speaking with safety workers before being placed into an ambulance.

Zilisch was initially taken to the track’s infield medical center for evaluation but was later taken to the hospital via ambulance. NASCAR said he was “awake and alert,” but no further specifics on his condition were given.

A well-liked 19-year-old and regarded as one of the best NASCAR prospects in years, Zilisch received an outpouring of support on social media from other NASCAR drivers.

Kyle Busch posted the praying hands emoji on X and tagged Zilisch’s account, and Corey LaJoie wrote, “I’m sick to my stomach seeing that fall.”

“Omg bro no,” Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth posted on X with the crying face emoji.

Zilisch was scheduled to race all three major NASCAR races at Watkins Glen this weekend. In addition to winning the Xfinity Series race Saturday, he finished eighth in Friday night’s Truck Series race and qualified 25th for Sunday’s Cup Series race — though it’s unclear at this point whether that start will happen.

It was a stunning moment that is perhaps unprecedented in major motorsports. Drivers have gone down in victory lane before — SRX driver Doug Coby fell out of his car at Stafford Speedway and landed on his rear end in 2021 — but none in memory has fallen off his car in a way that resulted in injury.