After Connor Zilisch suffered a broken collarbone falling off his car during a victory lane celebration at Richmond Raceway, a focus on Connor Zilisch rooftop celebration safety has emerged among NASCAR drivers. Despite the incident during the Cook Out 400, Zilisch still climbed onto his car to celebrate, though others adjusted their approach to prevent similar accidents.
Winner Austin Dillon adopted two notable safety measures. He ensured the window net was secured inside his car rather than hanging outside, a key factor in Zilisch’s fall. In addition, Dillon positioned both feet on the driver’s door rather than having one foot atop the car, standing firmly on a stable surface during his celebrations both on the frontstretch and in victory lane.
Adjustments in Celebration Tactics Without Changing Traditions
Leading up to the Richmond race, many drivers acknowledged they would not abandon climbing atop their cars for victory celebrations but intended to do so more cautiously. NASCAR has not imposed any official restrictions on rooftop celebrations despite safety concerns raised by recent events.
NASCAR spokesperson Mike Forde emphasized the hazard of the window net being outside the car.
“I think that was part of the problem that the window net was flapping on the outside,”
Forde said on the Hauler Talk podcast.
“I think Connor even said that may have been a problem, and one of our safety guys actually mentioned the same thing. So, we may do just sort of a check to make sure that if that’s inside the car, it’s one less thing you can slip on.”
RFK Racing co-owner Brad Keselowski shared his view on allowing drivers freedom in celebration styles but expressed personal caution.
“I’m not looking to be the car police,”
Keselowski stated. At 41, Keselowski added he probably would avoid climbing on his car in the future, opting instead to hold his American flag beside the vehicle.
“I think I’ll just grab my American flag and stand outside of it (car),”
he said.
Historical Context of Rooftop Victory Celebrations in NASCAR
Climbing atop one’s car in victory lane is a fairly recent phenomenon in NASCAR, becoming prevalent only in the 21st century with younger drivers and the introduction of composite body cars. Previously, the weight of drivers could damage sheet metal, risking failure in post-race inspections. For example, iconic drivers like Richard Petty and David Pearson never adopted the rooftop celebration as a routine gesture.
Richard Petty’s rare instance of standing on his car was during the 1968 Daytona 500, when he climbed atop the black vinyl roof of his No. 43 car to repair damage before rejoining the race. Otherwise, drivers typically avoided such celebrations for fear of damaging their vehicles.
In the early years at Charlotte Motor Speedway, drivers and race queens sometimes stood on the winning cars, but only after a portable carpeted platform was placed to prevent damage and for photo opportunities. It was uncommon and carefully managed.
Notable Past Incidents Impacting Celebration Customs
The 1980s saw only occasional rooftop celebrations, with Rusty Wallace standing out after winning the 1989 championship at Atlanta. Wallace jumped from the roof of his Pontiac to the hood and then down, an act that reportedly displeased NASCAR officials including Cup Director Dick Beaty.
Another tradition involved team crew members riding on the decklid and hood of winning cars on the way to victory lane, a visual highlight now discontinued due to safety concerns about falling onto pit road.
Anticipated Future of Victory Lane Traditions
While Connor Zilisch’s accident has prompted greater awareness of rooftop safety among NASCAR drivers, major changes to victory lane celebrations appear unlikely. Drivers intend to maintain their customary celebrations but with added caution and attention to hazards such as unsecured window nets.
The continued blending of tradition and safety adjustments reflects NASCAR’s evolving culture as it balances the sport’s excitement with driver well-being.