Shane van Gisbergen sends message to Connor Zilisch, explains how he raced with broken collarbone

One of NASCAR’s most promising young drivers suffered an unfortunate accident over the weekend. Connor Zilisch slipped from his car following the Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen, breaking his collarbone.

After the ordeal, Zilisch referenced Shane van Gisbergen going through a similar injury in 2021 as proof he could make it back to the track quickly. And for his part, van Gisbergen certainly believes it’s possible.

“Yes, so I broke my collarbone 2021,” van Gisbergen said, via CBS Sports’ Steven Taranto. “Left side, which mine was a bit out by the AC. I did a bit more damage to my shoulder and then also I had a fake ligament put in. But I raced, I had a weekend off, then I raced the next week. So pretty much what he’s going to go through.”

Connor Zilisch has yet to indicate a timeline for return, though the injury is still fresh. With a championship on the line in the Xfinity Series, though, he’ll want to get back quickly.

Zilisch noted he planned to get back as quickly as possible. He explained.

“We’re still working out with all the doctors to figure out what’s gonna be the next steps,” Zilisch said. “But I’ve got a little motivation from Shane, my teammate, he had a plate put in and raced the weekend after. So, I don’t know if I’ll be that quick but hopefully my young bones will heal fast, and I’ll be able to get back in it as soon as possible.”

Van Gisbergen went further in depth on what Connor Zilisch is likely facing. He delved into how it felt to race with a plate in his chest.

“Once the plate’s in there it’s stronger than the bone was,” van Gisbergen said. “Yeah, I’d get a plate put in and then take it out at the end of the year. But yeah, it’s obviously going to be in pain. My biggest pain was the belts, tightening of the belts. I could feel the plate through my skin, and it was a horrible feeling. But yeah, I raced the next week and did pretty well.”

Connor Zilisch currently leads the standings in the Xfinity Series by a handful of points. He has 823 points, narrowly ahead of Justin Allgaier‘s 816 points.

Bottom line: There’s a lot to race for and a compelling reason to make it back as quickly as possible. No big deal, said van Gisbergen.

“So yeah, for sure, with some good doctors and some good drugs he’ll get through the race fine,” van Gisbergen said.