NASCAR Will Not Impose Limits on Victory Lane Celebrations After Zilisch Injury

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 09: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 09, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

What’s Happening?

NASCAR’s Mike Forde confirmed during Wednesday’s episode of NASCAR’s Hauler Talk podcast that, to his knowledge, NASCAR is not planning on “legislating” what drivers can and cannot do in victory lane following Connor Zilisch’s injury at Watkins Glen.

Following Saturday’s Mission 200 at The Glen NASCAR Xfinity Series race, Connor Zilisch, just as he did last year at Watkins Glen, stood atop his car to celebrate the No. 88 team’s sixth win of 2025 (as many drivers do).

However, the celebration came to an abrupt end when the 19-year-old’s foot snagged on something inside the car. Zilisch hit the ground headfirst before being stretchered out of victory lane and to the infield care center. While Zillisch is on the mend, suffering a broken collarbone from the incident, there is no timetable for his return.

Despite all the storylines of the past weekend, the NASCAR world is still reacting to this now viral accident, with rumors and speculation that NASCAR could try and prevent such incidents in the future. Something that NASCAR’s managing director of racing communications, Mike Forde, addressed on the latest episode of NASCAR’s Hauler Talk podcast.

Forde cleared the air, saying, “From my research, that has not happened. We haven’t said that we were going to tell drivers who have won not to step out onto their window and stand there and take the photo and all that.” Despite this, Forde said that he had received a text from a NASCR executive asking whether or not drivers were told to limit their celebrations.

Forde even went as far as to clarify that NASCAR has not told drivers there is a preferred way to conduct themselves in victory lane. “Right now, there’s no best practices. .. We’re not legislating it. . . We haven’t said that drivers aren’t allowed to do this or that or anything else.”

He does suggest that a NASCAR employee, as one is usually present in victory lane, should check “just make sure that the window net is on the inside of the car” rather than on the outside like Zilisch’s. However, this would not be a formal rule or policy on the part of NASCAR.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.

Share this:

DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - APRIL 06: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on April 06, 2025 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Lionel Racing Reveals First Wave of 2026 NASCAR Authentics Diecast

What’s Happening?

Lionel Racing finally confirmed the first wave of 2026 NASCAR Authentics 1:64 scale diecast for Monday morning, with the line of retail-exclusive diecast featuring a new look for the new year.

  • This line will include six throwback paint schemes from NASCAR’s 2025 throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway. Though they did not release one in 2025, this move restarts an annual tradition of Lionel releasing at least one wave of cars carrying the colors of that prior season’s throwback designs.
  • Included in this wave of cars are Austin Cindric, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, William Byron, and Sammy Smith. Alongside these paint schemes’ debuts in the Authentics line is a new design for the packaging of the 2026 line of NASCAR Authentics.
  • Last season was somewhat turbulent for Lionel as, alongside issues with tariffs, the brand only released three waves of NASCAR Autentics, one wave of NASCAR Autentics Winners Circle diecast, and two waves of Haulers.
  • Lionel announcing the first wave of 2026 early on in the new year is perhaps a sign that 2026 could return this line to its regular release schedule. The post from Lionel Racing also confirmed that the brand will announce another wave by the end of the week, further hinting at a recommitment to the Authentics line.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.

SPARTA, KY - JUNE 26: Chase Pistone, driver of the #9 NTS Motorsports Chevrolet, talks with his crew during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Series UNOH 225 at Kentucky Speedway on June 26, 2014 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Chase Pistone, NASCAR Trucks and Nationwide Series Driver, Passes Away

What’s Happening?

Chase Pistone, a former competitor on the short track racing circuit in addition to NASCAR’s National Series, has passed away. Pistone, now a successful Legends Car owner, was 42.

  • Chase’s brothers Nick and Tom Pistone confirmed the North Carolina natives’ passing to LegendsNation.com. The cause of Pistone’s passing is unknown. The family asked that media share the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number, which is 988.
  • Pistone, the grandson of NASCAR legend “Tiger” Tom Pistone, made his way to NASCAR after competing on short tracks in Legends cars and Late Models. He would make his jump to NASCAR via the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2005, racing for Green Light Racing at Martinsville Speedway.
  • Pistone would continue his NASCAR pursuits in 2006, racing in ARCA and the NASCAR Busch Series. Unfortunately, these two starts, at Martinsville with the Busch Series and Iowa with ARCA, would be his last for nearly a decade.
  • Pistone returned to NASCAR in 2014, racing in a combined eight NASCAR Camping World Truck and Nationwide Series races. During this season, his final in NASCAR, the then 30-year-old scored his best National Series finish, ninth place in the Truck Series annual trip to Gateway.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.

8 Takeaways From NASCAR At COTA

Three races in, the 2026 season is finally starting to show its hand. COTA shifted narratives, exposed weaknesses, and raised new questions about contenders, pretenders, and everything in between.

  • Has Shane van Gisbergen officially been proven mortal after getting outraced late at Circuit of the Americas?
  • Is 19-year-old Connor Zilisch already ahead of schedule after slicing through the field multiple times?
  • With three straight wins, is Tyler Reddick basically a lock for the postseason this early?
  • And how concerned should the 48 team be after a rough weekend for Alex Bowman?

From substitute drivers being forced into action to points gaps growing faster than expected, COTA delivered more than just a road course chess match. There were momentum swings, reputation hits, and at least one young driver stacking up enemies before stacking up results.

Watch Also: