“I Don’t Plan on Getting the Plate out!” Connor Zilisch Gives a Major Update on His Recovery from Wild Shoulder Injury

Trackhouse Racing prodigy Connor Zilisch gives latest update on his recovery from the wild Watkins Glen shoulder injury.

“I Don’t Plan on Getting the Plate out!” Connor Zilisch Gives a Major Update on His Recovery from Wild Shoulder Injury

Connor Zilisch (via The Tennessean)

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The 2025 NASCAR Series season witnessed one of the most dominant performances in the history of stock car racing. Trackhouse Racing’s Connor Zilisch, who drove the No:88 car for JR Motorsports won 10 races and was without a doubt the fastest racer on the field. The only disappointing thing about the season was his title loss to Jesse Love in the finale.

But the craziest moment involving Connor Zilisch wasn’t his win, impressive overtakes on the track or the disappointing finale. It was the wild injury he suffered while celebrating his win at Watkins Glen. The youngster fell while standing on the car’s door in the victory lane and broke his shoulder. He was moved to a hospital and had to undergo surgery to fix the issue, before his return.

He came back from the surgery and went onto win four more races in the season, racing through the pain. It took him two months of physical therapy to get back to normal. Though it was headache for him at the start, now everything is good and he is planning to never take out the plates that was put in during the surgery unless it’s necessary.

It probably took two months of PT (physical therapy), and I haven’t had any worries about it since. I didn’t get the plate out. I don’t plan on getting the plate out. So, everything’s been really good. It certainly was a headache at first, but I’m glad everything’s fine now.

Connor Zilisch told Bob Pockrass.

Ross Chastain visited Connor Zilisch ahead of 2026 24 Hours of Daytona race

Connor Zilisch is set to race in the 2026 24 Hours of Daytona main event with Action Express Whelen Cadillac V-Series. Ahead of the race, he had a special visitor, his new teammate Ross Chastain. They spend time together at the pits and the youngster enjoyed the moments. It was a moment for both of them to learn how different teams and series operates.  

Ross Chastain
Ross Chastain (Via IMAGO)

It was cool to show Ross kind of where I came from, and he’s loves racing and just wants to see the different disciplines and see how teams do things differently from what we do at Trackhouse Racing.

Connor Zilisch said vid racer.com.

Ross Chastain followed the youngster in the garage, meeting people and experiencing the IMSA scene for the first time. Zilisch was happy about the visit and effort from Chastain, who is set to have strong battles in the upcoming season.

It was cool to show him around the car and walk him through the haulers – he’s seen all this stuff before, but it is a little bit different here in IMSA and with Cadillac. I’m glad he was able to come down and check it out and see what Cadillac Racing is all about.

Connor Zilisch added.

Talking about the same, No:1 Chevy driver Ross Chastain also shared his thoughts. He pointed out that he has never got opportunity be part of sport car racing, hence it was a learning moment to spent time with teammate Zilisch.

It was interesting to see the depth of the team and ask Connor, probably, some silly questions, but it’s just some stuff that I never learned. It was just cool to learn about.

Ross Chastain said.

The comment from the duo shows they really enjoyed the moment and its strong team building move from Trackhouse as the mentorship of Chastain will play a significant role in Zilisch’s development as a racer. It would be interesting to see how the rookie Cup season is going to playout for the youngster.

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