Dale Earnhardt Jr. provides injury update on Connor Zilisch

Connor Zilisch sat out of this past Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway due to a back injury he suffered the prior week at Talladega Superspeedway. With Xfinity having a two-week break, JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. expects Zilisch to be back in the No. 88 Chevrolet for the May 24 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“Connor Zilisch has a back injury. He should be able to return for Charlotte, that’s the hope. They got two weeks off,” Earnhardt said on Tuesday’s Dale Jr. Download podcast. “People are gonna be like, ‘Wow, he’s gonna be back that quickly. Back injury, it’s enough to where he’s not gonna be able to compete at Texas but wow, he’s going to be back at Charlotte?’ That’s my reaction to it, but knowing what I know about the injury, he absolutely needed to sit out this race.

“He has a long career in front of him. This is not that significant in the grand scheme of things. Absolutely needed to take time to allow this to heal. When the doctors feel like he’s ready, he’ll be ready; they’re saying it could be Charlotte.”

Kyle Larson shouts out Connor Zilisch after Texas win

Leading on the last lap down the backstretch at Talladega, Zilisch was pushed out of line by Jesse Love and took a devastating hit. Zilisch hit the inside wall head-on and complained about his back hurting soon after. He later provided an update on his injury.

“Yeah, I feel OK. You know, it’s a lot of what I’m doing is not up to me, I listen to all the doctors around me and the people around me that have a lot more, not only racing experience, but life experience,” Zilisch said. “I’ve got a lot ahead of me, and to rush back into something after a crash like that would be silly.

“So, yeah, we’re just taking our time with the recovery process, taking it one day at a time, and you know, I’m feeling better every day. Thankful for everyone who’s been there for me and been willing to give me unbiased answers throughout the process.”

With Zilisch sidelined, JRM contacted Kyle Larson, and the 2021 Cup Series champion piloted the No. 88 car at Texas — not a bad replacement. Larson led 32 laps, winning his second Xfinity race of the season in just his third start.

“Thanks to JRM for letting me come run this thing here today,” Larson said after the race. “You know, obviously wish Connor was in the car, but means a lot that they thought of me to call up to run this thing.”