Connor Zilisch secured his sixth NASCAR Xfinity Series win of 2025 on Saturday at Watkins Glen International, a notable achievement that also marked his second victory at the New York road course. However, the 19-year-old driver from Mooresville, North Carolina, was rushed to a local hospital after suffering a fall from his racecar while celebrating in Victory Lane. According to NASCAR, he remains awake and alert, with further updates expected from JR Motorsports.
Zilisch’s Strong Performance at a Familiar Track
Watkins Glen International holds special significance for Zilisch, as it was the venue for his first starts in both the ARCA Menards and NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he also earned his inaugural pole position and race win in the Xfinity division. This latest triumph continued his outstanding run, with Zilisch dominating Saturday’s Mission 200 by leading 60 of the 82 laps.
Throughout the race, the driver of the No. 88 Registix Chevrolet maintained control despite several late restarts, including a notable collision involving Austin Hill as they approached Turn 1. After teammate Sammy Smith briefly took the lead from the race restart, Zilisch recovered quickly to reclaim the front position within the first turn and held it to the finish line.
Late-Race Battle and Final Standings at Watkins Glen
During a four-lap green-flag sprint to the finish, Zilisch extended his lead to over two seconds ahead of runner-up Sam Mayer, while Sammy Smith fell back to third place. Completing the top five were Austin Hill and Carson Kvapil. The top ten also featured Justin Allgaier, Austin Green, Christian Eckes, Brandon Jones, and Harrison Burton, all navigating a chaotic race event marked by a major crash.
Austin Hill, who had recently returned from suspension following an earlier incident at Indianapolis, was involved in another controversy when contact with Michael McDowell at the Carousel led to a 16-car pileup. This crash forced a 45-minute red flag, reducing the number of cars able to finish the race to just 25 competitors.
Victory Lane Incident and Medical Response
Shortly after crossing the finish line, Zilisch’s celebration took a concerning turn when he fell while climbing out of his car at Victory Lane, accidentally catching his leg in the window and hitting the ground hard. Medical personnel responded swiftly to assist him, and he was transported to the infield care center before being taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.
Despite the fall, NASCAR has confirmed that Zilisch is conscious and alert, and fans and team members alike are hopeful for his speedy recovery. JR Motorsports is expected to provide additional updates on his condition in the coming days.
Implications for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Season Standings
With this win at Watkins Glen, Zilisch moves to the top of the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular-season point standings, surpassing veteran driver Justin Allgaier. Sam Mayer holds third place, trailing by 24 points. This victory also underscores Zilisch’s rising status in the series, highlighting his competitiveness and consistency at a young age.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series will next resume competition in two weeks at Daytona International Speedway, where Zilisch and the field will look to build on their momentum heading into the summer stretch.