Connor Zilisch was having a fairly smooth rookie season in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2025. With several wins under his belt, the Trackhouse Racing driver had already taken the sport by storm. However, an accident changed the situation in August.
While celebrating his sixth victory of the year, Connor Zilisch broke his collarbone while attempting to mount his car in victory lane at Watkins Glen. Following the accident, Zilisch underwent surgery a few days later and did well. These types of injuries usually require proper surgery, which a time like the off-season can provide. Zilisch took stock of this subject before the Rolex 24 at Daytona which awaited him.
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Connor Zilisch provides update on shoulder injury
Zilisch had one of the best years a NASCAR driver can have with a double-digit win total (ten wins), only to lose the title in the final race at Phoenix.
Fast forward to 2026, the 19-year-old will now prepare to run for Track racing in the No. 88, previously owned by Shane van Gisbergen. But before that, the NASCAR driver is all set to take part in the Rolex 24 endurance race.
Recently, he had an interview with famous NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass, during which he discussed his current state of health, especially his shoulder injury.
“It probably took two months of PT, and I haven’t had a problem since,” Zilisch said. “I didn’t take the plate out, and I don’t intend to take the plate out, so yeah, everything went really well, and it was definitely a headache at first, but yeah, I’m glad it’s okay now.”
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For the initial operation, a metal fixation plate and screws were surgically implanted into his shoulder to secure his collarbone following the fall. Since he didn’t remove it, that means it’s not causing any active pain or limiting his movement in that area. As he says, the physiotherapy sessions were enough to resolve the problem without any further treatment.
Zilisch had the operation on August 12, 2025, three days after breaking his collarbone. Within two weeks, doctors cleared Zilisch to race Aug. 22 at Daytona International Speedway.
This demonstrates the incredible determination of the young NASCAR star. Although this wasn’t the first time Zilisch had dealt with an accident in NASCAR. In 2024, he suffered an accident at Talladega and missed a race at Texas Motor Speedway.
NASCAR, Motorsport, United States Xfinity: NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship November 1, 2025 Avondale, Arizona, United States NASCAR
Although he missed the Texas
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Former F1 driver Romain Grosjean will also take part in the event. Interestingly, many IndyCar drivers will also be present, such as Scott McLaughlin, Álex Palou, Kyle Kirkwood, Colton Herta and Scott Dixon.
Zilisch’s own team, Cadillac Whelen, will see him team up with IMSA driver Jack Aitken, two-time Le Mans winner Earl Bamber and young IMSA driver Frederik Vesti.
As Zilisch prepares to race endurance, his recent verdict on the NASCAR format change gives him a strong path into 2026.
Trackhouse star happy with new NASCAR format
After huge protests from fans and pundits, NASCAR finally changed the playoff system. Stock car racing competition is coming back and introduced in Chase format to determine the champion. Under this format, NASCAR won’t eliminate anyone, and everyone will aim for wins and points to clinch the top spot in the standings.
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Zilisch, who will drive in this format in this first full-time Cup season in 2026, said: “I mean, obviously, winning is probably the easiest route for me, but that doesn’t mean in any way that I prefer the playoffs. So, yeah, I think it’s good for everyone. I think everyone on the team is happy with it.”
He is mature enough to earn his success the right way and not the “easy way.”
Following this, Zilisch praised NASCAR for listening to fans. “We have to listen to the people who keep our sport going, and that’s the fans. I’m glad NASCAR made the decision to do something different. Who knows, it might not work, but at least we’re trying.”
After a great Xfinity Series season in 2025, where he had ten wins and 20 top 5 finishes in 32 races, Connor Zilisch finished in second place (unfortunately). With him ready to take on the full-time Cup Series obligation for Trackhouse Racing, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the most prestigious form of stock car racing.
The position Star Driver breaks silence on off-season surgery months after bone fracture crash appeared first on EssentiallySport.
