Conor Zilisch’s Freak Accident “Complicates” Dale Earnhardt Jr. Playoff Plans for JGR

Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his thoughts on Conor Zilisch’s accident and how it is going affect JRM in the playoffs.

Conor Zilisch’s Freak Accident “Complicates” Dale Earnhardt Jr. Playoff Plans for JGR

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Conor Zilisch (Via IMAGO and NASCAR)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

The NASCAR garage witnessed one of the wildest off-track accidents it has witnessed ever, in the Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International. While celebrating his Xfinity Series race win in the No:88 JR Motorsports Chevy on the victory lane, standing on his car, Conor Zilisch slipped and fell awkwardly, breaking his collarbone.

This puts Conor Zilich boss Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a serious situation, as with just a single race left before the playoffs and the youngster being a championship front runner, alongside Justin Allgaier. He wants the young driver back in the car fast, but at the same time won’t be taking any risks regarding his health, even if the youngster demands a faster return.

The Hall of Famer talked about this factor in the latest episode of his podcast, Dale Jr. Download. He admitted that he was really amazed Conor Zilisch was able to walk away from the hospital as fast as he did, with a limited injury and good shape. Collarbone being the best worst thing that could have happened in the fall is a huge revelation for him, as it will heal fast.

I am amazed, honestly, when Connor come out of the hospital into the waiting room after getting released, I could not believe from what we saw in victory lane, that he was in such good shape. Now, you know, collarbone aside. That’s not a great thing.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said vid Dale Jr. Download.

Further talking about the point, the two times Xfinity Series champion admitted that the injury is complicating things for the star driver. The have been in a solid form till the accident, winning four of his last five races, adding six wins to his overall tally. He hasn’t finished outside the top-5 once in his last 10 outings and the injury might derail all that momentum he gained.

Listen, I’m just going to say that we, the end result of this, as su**y as it is to have the broken collarbone and, yes, that’s complicating things as he’s closing in on the playoffs, he comes out of that in a really, really good spot. Man, just what a freak, freak deal.

Dale Earnhardt added.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a front-row seat to the accident and its aftermath

Earlier talking about the point, Dale Jr. explained how he witnessed the accident firsthand standing just six feet away from the driver, as he was in the victory lane celebrating as the team owner. He was beside him the whole time, standing with the paramedics and later accompanying in the ambulance to the hospital.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via Newsweek)

Standing six feet away. As soon as he was on the ground I got down there with the paramedics and was standing there the whole time. I was with him in the ambulance, going in the infield care center and all that.

Dale Earnhardt said.

He was focussed on being with his driver, showing him that the whole JGR crew is behind him and is working with him in the tough moment. It was scary moment for everyone involved and they are happy to see the No:88 driver walking away without any major complications.

I wanted to make sure that I kind of knew what we were dealing with and what he might be dealing with. It was a scary thing but I’m glad that he’s OK. I’m glad his head’s good.

Dale Earnhardt added.

The comments from Junior shows the team was really concerned regarding their driver and how it was going to affect their chances. It would be interesting to see how long it would take the driver to make a return and if he will be able to match the performance he produced earlier in the season.

Also Read: Justin Marks Reveals the NASCAR Return Timeline for Connor Zilisch After WGI Accident