Following a tough defeat in the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, Connor Girish is set to compete in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) rookie test at Bahrain International Circuit. However, Girish fell short of earning the needed ACCUS license points because he finished second in the championship, narrowly missing the title to Jesse Love after leading until 24 laps remained at Phoenix Raceway. Despite winning 10 races this season, including an impressive streak of seven wins in eight events, Girish couldn’t secure the points required to qualify for the WEC hypercar test, which grants 10 points for a championship win but only eight for runner-up.
Girish explained at the NASCAR banquet that the FIA A license is mandatory to race a hypercar in the WEC and that points from winning the Xfinity Series championship are the key to eligibility. Since he finished second, he fell short of the 14 points required. He likened the licensing rules to the strict process Colton Herta faced in obtaining a superlicense, emphasizing there’s no way around the system. Girish described the situation as a “second shot to the heart,” acknowledging the disappointment but recognizing the rules are firm and clear.
Though not on Cadillac’s provisional WEC entry list, IMSA drivers Jack Aitken and Ricky Taylor will drive the Cadillac Hearts Team JOTA hypercar in the upcoming test. Girish remains active in sports car racing, having won the LMP2 class at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring at just 17 years old, both with Era Motorsport, and in 2024 competed in the Daytona 24 with Trackhouse Racing in the GTD Pro class.
Due to differences in IMSA and FIA licensing requirements, Girish is still eligible to drive a GTP car in IMSA events, including a planned test at Daytona International Speedway. If all goes well, he could potentially race a GTP car in the 2026 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona with Action Express Racing, alongside Herta.
This development marks a significant moment in Girish’s career as he navigates different racing disciplines and licensing systems while showing promise across multiple platforms.
Fan Take: This news highlights the challenges young drivers face as they transition between racing series, underscoring the importance of licensing and points systems in shaping careers. For NASCAR fans, Girish’s crossover into endurance racing adds excitement and depth, signaling a growing trend where top talent explores diverse motorsport arenas, potentially broadening NASCAR’s appeal.
