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Connor Zilisch to qualify, race at Daytona following collarbone surgery, Parker Kligerman on standby

JHby: Jonathan Howard08/21/25Jondean25
Connor Zilisch
Jamie Harms-Imagn Images

It has been more or less confirmed all week, but Connor Zilisch is officially going to attempt to qualify and race at Daytona. The NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie broke his collarbone after falling off his car following his win at Watkins Glen.

Connor Zilisch is attempting to lock down the regular-season championship. He is currently the points leader. JR Motorsports has confirmed that he will qualify and race at Daytona on Friday.

Parker Kligerman is the backup driver on standby for Zilisch. Should he need a relief driver or substitute, Kligerman will be the one to take the wheel. The 19-year-old confirmed that he is “officially officially cleared.”

JR Motorsports released a statement as well. It looks like everyone is ready to get Connor Zilisch back in the car.

“Connor Zilisch will return behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet this Friday night at Daytona International Speedway. Parker Kligerman will be on standby if needed,” JRM said in the statement.

Collarbone injuries are unique. Some athletes can come back quicker than others. Zilisch had a plate put in to help speed up his recovery. He has also consulted with Trackhouse Racing teammate Shane van Gisbergen. SVG had a similar injury in his Supercars days and was, similarly, back quite quickly.

Having the week off for Richmond definitely helped Connor Zilisch. If he had to race a week after the injury, maybe we would have a different conversation. Getting to rest more or less a full two weeks has to be a factor in his returning to the track without having to miss a race.

Earlier this season, Zilisch missed the Texas Xfinity Series race. He had a back injury following a big crash at Talladega, where his car went head-on into the inside wall down the backstretch.

Connor Zilisch having fantastic season

At this point in the year, Connor Zilisch has won on every kind of track. He really only needs to win at a half-mile short track and a superspeedway. To be fair, he was in a great position to win that Talladega race before he was wrecked out of it.

Zilisch is having a great stretch of races. 11 straight top-five finishes with five wins in that time as well. It will be interesting to see if he can survive the chaos of Daytona to keep that streak alive. First, he has to overcome his injury and any discomfort he may have racing following his surgery.

As a 19-year-old rookie, Connor Zilisch is leading in the points standings by 7 over his teammate and defending champion, Justin Allgaier. The battle between those two in the playoffs is going to be well worth watching. Hopefully, we get to see them face off at Phoenix for the championship.