NASCAR Cameraman Barely Escapes Connor Zilisch’s Wild Victory Burnout, Raises Safety Questions

There’s just something electric about a NASCAR victory burnout. The race has ended, the crowd is on its feet, and the winner cuts loose in a plume of tire smoke. Donuts, burnouts, and whoops of joy fill the air. For drivers, this celebration is pure adrenaline, a way to let the emotions pour out after a day battling at 200 miles per hour. Fans, meanwhile, watch for that wild choreography on asphalt, sometimes hoping a winner will push hard enough to shred his tires or even pop the car’s fenders.

Yet behind the smoke and spectacle, there’s more at play. There are questions of safety, tradition, and what happens when boundaries are pushed too far. Every so often, a dramatic celebration sets off a round of debate that lingers long after the tire marks fade. And recently, one wild post-race moment left people wondering whether NASCAR might need to take a closer look at the risks hidden in all that tire smoke.

Connor Zilisch’s celebration nearly turns dangerous

Connor Zilisch was riding high after notching his ninth NASCAR Xfinity Series victory of the season at World Wide Technology Raceway. The win also made the JR Motorsport driver join Sam Ard and Noah Gragson as the only drivers to ever win four consecutive NASCAR Xfinity Series races. The young driver outdueled Sawalich and Eckes in a tense, late-race scramble and couldn’t wait to celebrate with fans and team on the main straight.

However, his post-race revelry took a sudden, dangerous turn when, amid clouds of tire smoke and roaring cheers, his wild burnout almost ended in disaster for Teddy, one of NASCAR’s veteran cameramen. As Zilisch’s Chevrolet spun and tires billowed smoke, Teddy’s attempt to capture the perfect victory shot brought him uncomfortably close to the car’s front bumper.

Startled, the cameraman stumbled but managed to avoid serious injury. But, this near-miss has left the paddock rattled and sparked renewed calls for stricter safety protocols during celebrations among fans and analysts alike. This episode isn’t without precedent.

In 2023, Cole Custer’s Xfinity Series championship celebration at Phoenix nearly resulted in disaster when an NBC cameraman found himself steps away from the spinning, smoke-shrouded No. 00 car. Then, earlier in 2025, at the Chicago Street Course, Shane van Gisbergen finished his own celebration with a tire-burning display that nearly clipped a well-positioned camera operator.

These moments are more than just heart-stopping; they point to a larger issue of safety protocols. Victory burnouts are tradition, perhaps NASCAR’s most visceral celebration. But the thrill doesn’t excuse the risk posed to media personnel (and potentially fans). With Zilisch’s recent near-miss and others before him, it’s clear that adrenaline-fueled joyrides need clear boundaries.

If the camera is too close, the footage might be exciting. But someone’s safety could be at stake.

Rookies seize the moment at WWT Raceway

The return of the NASCAR Xfinity Series to World Wide Technology Raceway after a fifteen-year hiatus was worth the wait. Fans packed into the stands expecting fireworks, and what they got was a youth-driven showcase that flipped the script on veteran dominance with an all-rookie podium.

Connor Zilisch stole the spotlight with his ninth win of the season, but he wasn’t alone in making noise. Rookies practically owned the place. Stage 1 fell to Zilisch after a caution, while pit cycles temporarily shuffled the order and allowed Justin Allgaier to take Stage 2. But Zilisch and fellow rookies like William Sawalich, who finished second, and Christian Eckes (third) quickly reasserted themselves as the night wore on.

The closing laps brought chaos. Crashes, multi-car pileups, and playoff hopefuls scrambling for any points as Gateway’s tight corners eliminated margin for error. Through it all, Zilisch’s poise was unmistakable, as he survived repeated restarts and held on for the win. This marks a new era for the Xfinity Series.

At Gateway, rookies not only survived the pressure, they thrived. Sawalich’s runner-up finish continued his own quietly impressive season, and fellow young guns like Jesse Love and Taylor Gray battled through adversity to clinch playoff spots in the heat of Gateway’s intensity.

With the playoffs looming, all eyes are on this sensational rookie class. Zilisch, Sawalich, and their peers have turned the narrative upside down. They have made it clear that NASCAR’s newest faces are ready to challenge (and beat) the best on any stage.