Denny Hamlin Breaks Silence on Conor Zilisch’s “Violent” Victory Lane Accident at Watkins Glen

Trackhouse Racing driver Conor Zilisch’s freak accident in the victory lane send chills down the spine of JGR veteran Denny Hamlin.

Denny Hamlin Breaks Silence on Conor Zilisch’s “Violent” Victory Lane Accident at Watkins Glen

Conor Zilisch and Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO and @NASCAR/X)

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The NASCAR Xfinity Series at Watkins Glen witnessed Conor Zilisch’s victory lane celebration going from festivity to misery. While attempting stand on the doors of the car, as usual to celebrate the win, he slipped and slammed hard into the ground, hitting his head first. Now, Joe Gibbs Racing Denny Hamlin has analysed the situation on his podcast.

Seeing Conor Zilisch fall and break his collarbone, fortunate it was just that injury, Denny Hamlin was concerned like every other personal associated with the sport. He knew at the exact moment the injury was going to happen. The injury cost the young racer the opportunity to race in the Cup Series event at Glen, as the team was forced to retire the car that had already qualified.

When I stopped at a place and I watched it, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m genuinely concerned.’ First thing I thought was that’s a collarbone breaker right there. Like, you fall just right there and sure enough, he broke that.

Denny Hamlin said on Actions Detrimental podcast.

Further talking about the point, the three times Daytona 500 winner admitted that he thought the Chevy prodigy snapped his leg and had concussion in the violent incident, fortunately it didn’t happen. Watching the incident happen, Hamlin admitted that he would never stand again like Zilich on the victory lane, if it happened to him.

But I thought he snapped his leg, I thought he had a concussion — it was just violent. I mean, I’d still be in the hospital. To be young again — holy crap — there’s no way. I don’t think I’m ever gonna stand on top my car ever again.

Denny Hamlin added.

Connor Zilisch might need a surgery soon

The youngster was released from the hospital, before the Cup race started and shared how he feels in a media session. There he admitted that he is consulting doctors to see if he has to undergo surgery, where he bones will be reconstructed with metals and bolts. The only positive aspect regarding the injury is the fact that it’s relatively easy to heal from collarbone breaking.

Connor Zilisch (via The Tennessean)
Connor Zilisch (via The Tennessean)

I think it might be something that I might have to get surgery for. But in this case, I think surgery is something that speeds up the process, so you can get plates and screws and get it reconstructed back together…Thankfully, the collarbone is a relatively quick bone to fix and heal.

Connor Zilisch said on Door Bumper Clear podcast.

Many drivers have raced with injuries to their collarbone in the past, including his teammate Shane van Gisbergen, who he wrecked in order to secure the race win. The veteran had the injury while he was racing in his Supercars days and was able to successful secure race wins, regardless of the challenges.

Trackhouse Racing co-owner Justin Marks talked to the media about how they are going to approach the situation. They were yet to make a final decision on how to move forward, as they will sat down with Chevy and sponsor representative to make a plan, with the primary objective keeping the young racer healthy and motivated.

We haven’t really talked about much…It’s going to have to be sponsors, Chevrolet, the team, taking care of his development, taking care of him as a human and as an athlete, and then keeping his motivations high and making sure he knows he’s got a group of people behind him that are supportive of him.

Justin Marks said.

The comments from the driver and the team owners shows they are determined to make sure the prodigy racer will have the best support he needs to get healthy soon and get back in the car. It would be interesting to see how everything will playout for Zilisch’s return, with just a handful races left for the Xfinity playoffs.

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