Connor Zilisch injury update: JRM driver details extent of surgery after falling off car at Watkins Glen

Zilisch had said on Monday’s “Door Bumper Clear” podcast that his broken collarbone could require surgery. He added that undergoing surgery “speeds up the process” in recovery.

“I think it might be something that I might have to get surgery for,” Zilisch said. “But in this case, I think surgery is something that speeds up the process, so you can get plates and screws and get it reconstructed back together. Shane [van Gisbergen] talked about it — he had an injury in 2021 and broke his collarbone — he had plates, screws, everything done and he was racing back the next weekend. Thankfully, the collarbone is a relatively quick bone to fix and heal.”

Connor Zilisch will have at least one week off to recover from surgery

Zilisch, 19, was supposed to compete in Sunday’s Cup Series race at Watkins Glen. As a result of his injury, Trackhouse Racing withdrew the No. 87 car from the race.

Zilisch is the Xfinity Series points leader after his victory at Watkins Glen, his sixth of the season. The Xfinity Series is off next weekend before returning Aug. 22 at Daytona International Speedway. Zilisch has already missed one race this season due to a back injury. He told Marty Snider of TNT Sports that there is no timetable yet for a return, but he’s motivated to make it back “as soon as possible.”

“We’re still working out with all the doctors to figure out what’s gonna be the next steps,” Zilisch said Sunday. “But I’ve got a little motivation from Shane [van Gisbergen], my teammate, he had a plate put in and raced the weekend after. So, I don’t know if I’ll be that quick but hopefully my young bones will heal fast, and I’ll be able to get back in it as soon as possible.”