NASCAR updates Watkins Glen Cup Series lineup after Connor Zilisch injury

Thirty-nine drivers will compete in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen. Initially, the field was 40 cars deep, but an injury to Connor Zilisch after Saturday’s Xfinity Series race forced Trackhouse Racing to withdraw the No. 87 car from the race.

With Zilisch sidelined, NASCAR sent out a new starting lineup for Sunday’s race. According to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, every driver who qualified behind him is moving up a spot. Zilisch had qualified 25th.

Watkins Glen was to be Zilisch’s fourth Cup start of the season. But in the aftermath of his win in the Xfinity race, Zilisch slipped and fell off the top of his car while celebrating in Victory Lane. Zilisch fell awkwardly on the ground and was transported to a nearby hospital. Zilisch said he suffered a broken collarbone.

“Thank you everybody for reaching out today,” Zilisch wrote on X. “I’m out of the hospital and getting better already. Thankfully, CT scans for my head are clear, I just have a broken collarbone. Thankful for all the medics for quick attention and grateful it wasn’t any worse.”

Connor Zilisch dominant in Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen

Before his scary fall, Zilisch dusted the field at Watkins Glen to pick up his series-leading sixth win of the season. As you would expect, Zilisch spent much of the day battling alongside Shane van Gisbergen. The two road course aces eventually made contact late in the race, resulting in van Gisbergen slamming into the wall.

Zilisch continued on to tally his fourth win in his last five starts. Zilisch climbed past JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier in the race for the regular season championship.

Obviously, however, the main focus is on Zilisch’s health. The Xfinity Series is off next weekend before returning Aug. 22 at Daytona International Speedway. Zilisch has already missed one race this season due to a back injury.