Connor Zilisch faced a major setback as his hopes of testing Cadillac’s hyper car in Bahrain were dashed after his Connor Zilisch Xfinity Championship Loss. The 19-year-old racer’s second-place finish in the NASCAR 2025 Xfinity Series, losing out to Jesse Love, left him just short of the points needed for participation in the FIA WEC rookie test scheduled for November 9.
Zilisch Misses Out on FIA Hyper Car Opportunity
Zilisch was prepared to travel to Bahrain when the outcome of the Xfinity Series championship altered his plans entirely. The loss not only ended his immediate championship aspirations, but also meant he could not obtain enough FIA license points for World Endurance Championship eligibility. Jesse Love, named a rising star in NASCAR, clinched the title, while Zilisch’s runner-up position was not enough in the strict FIA point system.
“You have to have an FIA A license to run a hyper car in WEC and I needed to win the championship to have enough points to do that,”
Zilisch explained.
“Because of the point system, you get 10 points to win the Xfinity championship, and eight for second and I needed 10 points to get to the 14 needed. Because I didn’t win the championship, I didn’t have enough points and in hindsight I didn’t get a license to run the hyper car in WEC. Just a second shot in the heart after the weekend, but I knew it going in. It’s not like it caught me by surprise.”
– Connor Zilisch, Driver
Frustration and Next Steps After Narrow Defeat
Despite the disappointment, Zilisch acknowledged his frustration but recognized that he had limited control over the outcome. Losing out on the Bahrain rookie test was an emotional blow, but not an unexpected one given the tight regulations and point allocations set by the FIA.
“When I found out I was definitely a little frustrated with it (not going to Bahrain),”
Zilisch said.
“Can’t control it. Can’t change it. So, no reason to get upset about it.”
– Connor Zilisch, Driver
Shifting Focus to IMSA and Daytona
With the WEC rookie test now out of reach, Zilisch will redirect his efforts to the IMSA series. He is scheduled for a test at Daytona in two weeks, hoping to secure a GTP seat for January’s Rolex 24. This move keeps the North Carolina native active in high-level motorsports, even as he deals with the aftermath of his championship loss.
Significance for Zilisch and NASCAR’s Young Contenders
The consequence of the Connor Zilisch Xfinity Championship Loss spotlights the challenging road faced by emerging drivers seeking opportunities beyond NASCAR. The story also highlights the achievements of competitors such as Jesse Love, as well as the continued impact of experienced drivers like Aric Almirola. As Zilisch turns his attention to IMSA racing, the setback serves as a reminder of the narrow margins and unpredictable outcomes that define motorsports careers at the highest levels.
