Connor Zilisch has provided an important health update ahead of NASCAR's home weekend. He has announced that he will return to action after recovering from a lower back injury.
The Trackhouse Racing driver, who races in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, issued a statement on X on Monday. He confirmed that he will return to the No. 88 Chevrolet for regular duty. He will also take on the Coca-Cola 600 while pulling double duty.
"I'm back," Zilisch said. "My back is all healed up, and I'm ready for a big weekend at Charlotte. I'm pumped to make my second Cup start with Trackhouse and get back in the Xfinity car with JR Motorsports.
"Big thanks to everyone who helped me get back so soon."
Zilisch has been out of action for multiple weeks for two reasons. The first is that he sustained a lower back injury in a crash at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26. His No. 88 spun nose-first into the SAFER barrier on the last lap after contact from Jesse Love.
Zilisch initially told media members that his X-rays were clear. and that he was only dealing with a little soreness after the collision. He said he would meet with his doctor and get a final checkup.
However, JR Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing later announced that Zilisch would miss the trip to Texas Motor Speedway on May 3. This race led into the two-week break, which would provide extra time for Zilisch to recover from the injury.
Kyle Larson replaced Zilisch in the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet and won after leading 32 laps. This marked his second Xfinity win of the season.
Now that the series is back from its two-week break, Zilisch will get back behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet. He will make his 12th start of the season and his first career national series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He will drive the No. 87 Red Bull Chevrolet again after previously controlling the car at Circuit of the Americas earlier this season.