Connor Zilisch’s recent crash during a victory lane celebration, which resulted in a broken collarbone, has become one of the most alarming incidents in NASCAR history. The accident, which occurred shortly after his Xfinity Series win, has caused concern among drivers, including 2012 NASCAR Cup champion Brad Keselowski, who weighed in on the incident and its impact on future celebrations.
Zilisch, a 19-year-old rookie, lost his balance while standing on the door and roof of his winning car. His foot caught in the window netting, leading to an uncontrolled fall directly onto the ground without anything to soften the impact. Following the accident, he was immediately taken to a nearby hospital where doctors confirmed he had fractured his collarbone. Zilisch subsequently underwent surgery for a faster recovery and a goal to return to racing soon.
In response to the accident, Keselowski was asked ahead of the Richmond race if he would continue climbing on his car after a victory. His answer reflected both caution and understanding of the risks involved in such celebrations.
Probably not. I think I’ll just grab my American flag and stand outside of it. But man, that was sure scary. I called Adam Alexander yesterday because now that we know Connor’s okay, it is one of the funniest damn videos I’ve ever seen in my life. And we’ve all had our, you know, moments.
— Brad Keselowski
Keselowski also shared his personal perspective on the situation and how such accidents are part of the sport.
The funniest part to me was Adam just saying, ‘Oh my god, he fell.’ And my wife and I, we’ve had a lot of fun with that. But, you do this sport long enough, you’re bound to have a moment that you wish you could have back. And, I’ve got quite a few of them, and Connor got his first one,
Keselowski added.
The accident clearly unsettled some drivers more than others. Christopher Bell admitted the incident was so unsettling that he could not bring himself to watch Zilisch’s fall, leaving his views on victory-lane celebrations uncertain.
Chase Elliott Maintains His Celebration Routine Despite the Incident
While several drivers expressed concern after Zilisch’s accident, Chase Elliott stated that the incident would not change how he celebrates wins. Speaking on the Five To Go podcast, Elliott sympathized with Zilisch’s injury but emphasized that accidents can happen anywhere and anytime.
It’s one of those things where you can trip over your shoelace and you bust your knee up and walk into your house from a driveway. Stuff happens. It’s life. The guy was enjoying a great day. And then an accident happened.
— Chase Elliott
Elliott noted that throughout his career, he has often stood on the door window frame during celebrations but has never encountered issues like catching a foot in the net or falling. He supported NASCAR’s decision not to change the regulations concerning victory-lane celebrations following Zilisch’s accident.
NASCAR to Address Window Net Safety After Fall
NASCAR’s managing director of communications, Mike Forde, pointed out a factor contributing to the accident was that Zilisch’s window net was flapping outside instead of being securely tucked in. On the Hauler Talk podcast, Forde confirmed the sanctioning body plans to correct this issue to prevent similar mishaps in the future.
The monitoring and adjustment of window nets are expected to enhance safety during post-race celebrations, reducing the risk of entanglement and dangerous falls. This response reflects NASCAR’s ongoing commitment to driver safety both on and off the track.
As drivers and officials move forward, the impact of Zilisch’s fall will likely influence how celebrations are conducted, prompting extra caution and possible changes in safety protocols. Keselowski’s composed reaction highlights a balance between acknowledging risks and embracing the joy of victory in racing.