Back injury sidelines Zilisch for Texas Xfinity Series race

Connor Zilisch will not compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday due to lower back injuries sustained at Talladega last weekend.

Kyle Larson will drive the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in his absence.

“Thank you, Kyle Larson, for stepping up for me this weekend and everyone who has helped me through this process,” Zilisch wrote on social media. “(I’m) doing everything I can to be back as soon as possible.”

Zilisch was leading the field down the backstretch on the last lap of the Xfinity Series race at Talladega when he was turned off the front bumper of Jesse Love, sending his Chevrolet into a spin toward the inside of the racetrack. The car hits the inside SAFER barrier nose-first.

A slow-motion replay of the crash showed the rear tires of Zilisch’s car come off the ground upon impact. It totaled the front end of his Chevrolet, and the SAFER flexed toward the original concrete wall.

Zilisch was evaluated and released from the infield care center after the crash. At the time, he posted he was grateful to walk away and thanked his team for the safe car. A day later, Zilisch wrote that he was “sore” but more upset about not closing the deal for his team.

It will be Larson’s third start of the season in his substitute role. He has one win at Texas in the Xfinity Series from 2016.