Back Injury Sidelines NASCAR Xfinity Star Conor Zilisch for Texas

Back Injury Sidelines NASCAR Xfinity Star Connor Zilisch for Texas

NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie Connor Zilisch, a rising star in the sport, will miss Saturday’s race at Texas Motor Speedway due to a lower back injury sustained in a harrowing crash during the final lap of last week’s race at Talladega Superspeedway. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:

1. Cause of Injury: A Devastating Talladega Crash

Zilisch was leading the race on the final lap when contact from fellow driver Jesse Love sent his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet spinning into the inside wall at high speed. The impact was severe, with the car hitting the SAFER barrier nose-first, lifting its rear wheels off the ground, and sustaining significant front-end damage . Despite the violence of the crash, Zilisch exited the car under his own power and was evaluated and released from the infield care center. He later described the wreck as a “big hit” that left him sore but grateful for the safety of his car .

Initial X-rays showed no fractures, but lingering pain in his lower back prompted further medical evaluation. By Wednesday, JR Motorsports confirmed he would sit out Texas to prioritize recovery .

2. Kyle Larson Steps In as Substitute Driver

Replacing Zilisch in the No. 88 Chevrolet will be 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, who has prior Xfinity Series success, including a win at Bristol earlier this season. Larson’s participation is notable due to NASCAR’s rule limiting Cup drivers to five Xfinity starts per year, making this his third of 2025 .

3. Playoff Eligibility Secured Despite Absence

NASCAR granted Zilisch a playoff waiver, ensuring he remains eligible for the 2025 Xfinity Series playoffs despite missing a race. This decision was critical for the 18-year-old, who earned his first career Xfinity win earlier this season at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) and sits sixth in the championship standings . His strong rookie campaign includes three top-10 finishes and an average running position of 10.8 (fifth-best in the series) .

4. Recovery Timeline and Future Races

The Xfinity Series has a two-week hiatus after Texas, with the next race scheduled for May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. While Zilisch’s return date remains unclear, the break provides additional recovery time. He is also slated to compete in both the Xfinity and Cup Series events during Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte, pending medical clearance .

JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed support for Zilisch, stating, “He’ll be back in the seat and back at the front of the field soon enough” .

5. Reactions and Context

Zilisch’s Perspective: The driver emphasized gratitude for safety measures but admitted frustration over missing a potential win at Talladega. “Sore today but more than anything just upset that I couldn’t close that one out for my team,” he posted on social media .
Jesse Love’s Response: Love, a close friend of Zilisch, expressed concern post-race: “I hope my friend is okay. Looked like a really hard hit” .

Looking Ahead
Zilisch’s absence at Texas marks a temporary setback in an otherwise stellar rookie season. With Larson filling in and playoff eligibility intact, the focus shifts to his recovery and return to competition. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see if the young talent can maintain momentum upon his comeback.

For further details, refer to original sources: NASCAR.com, Motorsportswire, FOX Sports, and Newsweek.