NASCAR drivers are downplaying the risks associated with victory lane celebrations following Connor Zilisch’s painful fall during his Watkins Glen victory celebration. Despite the jarring incident – where he broke his collarbone after his foot snagged in the window netting – NASCAR officials aren’t imposing new rules. Instead, they’re focusing on ensuring window nets remain inside the cars.
Ross Chastain, known for his watermelon smashing tradition rooted in his family’s farming heritage, quipped, “Here we’re smashing watermelons. We’re doing okay.” William Byron offered a more grounded perspective: “It’s kind of like falling downstairs, like you do it every day, and then something happens.”
Brad Keselowski struck a lighter tone, saying, “I think I’ll just grab my American flag and stand outside of it. It is one of the funniest damn videos I’ve ever seen in my life.” Chase Elliott offered a more measured take: “I don’t know that [regular season championship] would warrant a climb. But if something warranted a climb, yeah, absolutely.”
Christopher Bell admitted he couldn’t bring himself to watch the clip: “I can’t open it. I won’t watch it.”
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Richmond Raceway this weekend for the Cook Out 400. Ryan Preece secured the Busch Light Pole Award with a lap of 22.244 seconds (121.381 mph), and Tyler Reddick, AJ Allmendinger, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Elliott rounded out the top five. With just eight sets of Goodyear tires available, drivers are frustrated: “Maybe you could have a little bit more options to play with,” Kyle Busch told Bob Pockrass, while Brad Keselowski added, “The math isn’t mathing.”
Given the tight tire allocation and Richmond’s reputation for tire wear, drivers recognize the need to celebrate carefully, mindful of the potential for a misstep to turn into a career-curdling moment. After all, one jump can quickly turn into a memory that fuels both laughter and caution. Let the race and the celebrations (safely) begin.