The memories from August 9, 2025, must still be fresh in Connor Zilisch's memory. As he approaches the Watkins Glen race weekend again, and for another triple header, he shared about taking a cautious path ahead of the race.

Zilisch suffered a broken collarbone when he fell out of his car after winning the Watkins Glen Xfinity Series race. As a result, he missed the Cup Series race the next day. Nine months later, on May 3, NASCAR ON FOX analyst Bob Pockrass shared a clip of his interview on X as he gears up for the May 9th weekend.

"Yeah, I'm excited," Zilisch told the media. "I obviously tried to do it last year, but didn't make it to the end. So hopefully this time around I can win and not fall off my car in victory lane."

After Zilisch won the 2025 Xfinity Series race, he attempted to climb the roof of his no 88 car of JR Motorsports. However, his foot caught in the driver's side window netting, and he tumbled headfirst to the ground.

He later had to undergo surgery to install a plate and screws. In the process, Zilisch was sidelined from the Cup Series race. So, this time he is coming back with a lot of optimism.

"But yeah, I always love racing and getting the opportunity to do it with three great teams with Trackhouse, JRM, and Inspire is gonna be really exciting. So I'm looking forward to that," Zilisch further added.

As the 2026 race weekend approaches, Zilisch will participate in a high-profile triple header race. In the Truck Series, he will drive the #71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado.

He will compete in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series in a JRM car and return to his familiar Trackhouse Racing ride in the Cup Series.

Looking for a breakthrough weekend, Zilisch hopes to earn his first Cup Series top-10 result at a venue where he has consistently performed well.

While Zilisch gears up for the race, he took the NBA's Cooper Flagg for a ride.

Connor Zilisch went for a ride with the NBA's Cooper Flagg

Fresh off winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award, Cooper Flagg made an appearance at a NASCAR race in Texas. He drove the pace car and also got a high-speed ride around the track from #88 Zilisch, who earlier this season picked up his 12th career series win at Bristol Motor Speedway, driving for JRM.

Flagg was delighted to share the ride with another 19-year-old.

"I don't know much about racing, but I think just being able to connect on the fact that we're both young in our respective sports … that was really cool, and to be able to talk to someone that's going through a lot of similar things at a time in your life," Flagg said.

In NASCAR, the Dallas Mavericks' 6-foot-9-inch forward was also the honorary pace car driver at the race track in Texas.

Share your thoughts on Connor Zilisch's mindset ahead of the Watkins Glen race weekend.

Find more news at RFK Racing Digest.

Written by

Sabyasachi Biswas

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar