The NASCAR Xfinity Series resumes competition this Friday night at Daytona International Speedway, following a one-week break. The race is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be covered by The CW, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Among the anticipated drivers is six-time race winner and current points leader Connor Zilisch, who plans to return to the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet after recovering from a collarbone injury sustained at Watkins Glen International.
Connor Zilisch’s Injury Status and Team Considerations
A representative from JR Motorsports confirmed that Zilisch is expected to race at Daytona, though his participation depends on ongoing recovery evaluations. Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks, who is closely monitoring Zilisch as a promising prospect for his team, emphasized the collective nature of the decision regarding the driver’s return. While Zilisch is eager to compete, the team is weighing safety and long-term health carefully.
Balancing Desire to Race with Cautious Recovery
Marks described the situation as a delicate balance between Zilisch’s strong desire to get back behind the wheel and the responsibility to avoid rushing him into action prematurely—especially on a challenging track like Daytona. He explained that the team must consider the risk of aggravating the injury or experiencing another accident that could worsen his condition.
So it’s kind of a day-by-day deal right now. This will be a big week to see how his rehab goes and his comfort level and all that stuff. And it could end up being a game-time decision. I know that we all want him back in the race car. He wants to be back in the race car. JRM wants him to be back in the race car. But we’ve got to make smart decisions, so I would just say, stay tuned on that one.
— NASCAR.com —
Upcoming Decisions Shape Zilisch’s Racing Future at Daytona
The coming days will be critical in determining whether Zilisch will participate in the Daytona Xfinity race. His rehabilitation progress and comfort level will guide the team’s final call, which could go down to the wire. Given his current standing as points leader and six-time winner, Zilisch’s return carries significant weight, but safety remains the top priority for JR Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing alike. Their cautious approach highlights the challenges teams face when balancing competitive ambitions with a driver’s health and well-being.