Connor Zilisch to Miss Texas Race Due to Back Injury

Connor Zilisch, an 18-year-old JR Motorsports driver, will miss the upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway due to a lower back injury sustained in a last-lap crash at Talladega. The incident occurred when Zilisch, defending the race lead, made contact with Jesse Love, resulting in a violent spin into the inside wall. Although he was initially cleared at the track, further medical evaluation led to a cautious decision to sit him out to ensure proper recovery. Kyle Larson will substitute for Zilisch in the No. 88 Chevrolet, a move supported by both JR Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing, who praised Zilisch's resilience. Zilisch has expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized he is recovering day by day, aiming to return as soon as possible. He has also received a playoff waiver for missing the Texas race, ensuring his continued championship eligibility.