Kevin Harvick is hoping that Connor Zilisch plays it safe after suffering an injury during a fall at Watkins Glen. On Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, Harvick reacted to Zilisch’s fall that happened at Victory Lane.
“This kid is going to be bullet-tough when he is done with all the things that he’s had to deal with, whether it’s his back, falling in Victory Lane, and just learning on the fly and having bunch of success,” Kevin Harvick said. “This kid’s a stud. He’s a winner and he’s going to continue to win.”
Harvick then revealed what he told Connor Zilisch’s dad after the fall. “I said, ‘You got to make sure they take care of him first and not get in a hurry. Make sure he heals correctly, because he’s going to be a winner when he comes and gets into that Cup car,” Harvick said. “The most important thing is to not rush it because you’re chasing a regular-season Points Championship or an Xfinity Championship. Just make sure that he’s 100 percent.’”
Kevin Harvick shares more on Connor Zilisch
Harvick later said, “My main concern for Connor at this point is to make sure Connor is 100 percent, because he can take his time in making sure it’s right is my only thing.” Zilisch has won six Xfinity Series races this year and is the leader in Xfinity and playoff points. The Xfinity Series is off this weekend, and Harvick said Zilisch should miss the Daytona race, as he should get a waiver.
On Tuesday, Zilisch announced he had surgery on his collarbone. Assuming he misses the Daytona race, the 19-year-old will have a little over two weeks to rest and recover before the playoffs begin. It would be great for NASCAR to see Zilisch compete for an Xfinity Series title, but seeing him healthy and make an impact in the Cup Series down the road would be better for everyone.
“He is a great person,” Harvick said. “…He can deal with the world, he can navigate the media, he knows how to talk, he’s just very mature beyond his years.”
Read the full article here
