Zilisch Out With Back Injury, Larson To Steer No. 88

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Kyle Larson will drive the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Trackhouse Racing development driver Connor Zilisch will miss the race while continuing to recover from a lower back injury suffered during a late-race crash Saturday at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Zilisch was leading during the closing laps when his Chevrolet was contacted from behind by the Chevrolet driven by Jesse Love.

The contact sent Zilisch, 18, careening into the wall.

Trackhouse Racing confirmed Zilisch’s injuries on social media Wednesday afternoon.

“Connor Zilisch will miss Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway due to lower back injuries sustained at Talladega Superspeedway. The Trackhouse Racing development driver plans to return to the JR Motorsports Chevrolet as soon as possible,” said the Trackhouse Racing statement.

JR Motorsports, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., confirmed Larson as the substitute driver.

“Kyle Larson will sub for Connor Zilisch behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway as Zilisch continues to recover from a lower back injury sustained last weekend at Talladega,” said the JR Motorsports statement.

As a result, Larson is expected to compete in High Limit Racing sprint car events Thursday and Saturday The Dirt Track at Texas Motor Speedway, the Xfinity Series race Saturday at TMS and Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at the 1.5-mile track.