Jacob Abel, fresh off a successful Indy NXT season with two wins and three poles, joins Dale Coyne Racing for a full IndyCar campaign in the No. 51 Honda. The 23-year-old Kentucky native and Butler University graduate secured 10 podiums and finished second in the championship behind Louis Foster.

Abel recently impressed during a test with Chip Ganassi Racing at Texas Motor Speedway, earning praise from managing director Mike Hull. He becomes one of three rookies in the 2025 season, alongside Louis Foster and PREMA Racing's Robert Shwartzman, filling the 26th of 27 available seats on the grid.

"It's super cool; it's what I've been working for my whole entire career," Abel said. "I'm ready to take it one step at a time, and I understand it's going to be a process, and it's a process that I'm really, really looking forward to."

The young driver joins Dale Coyne Racing during a rebuilding phase, following one of their most challenging seasons. Abel will make his first official test with the team at The Thermal Club later this month, focusing on team development and adaptation to the IndyCar platform.

Abel expressed confidence in his ability to provide valuable feedback and help move the team forward, drawing from his experience with smaller teams and the similarities between Indy NXT and IndyCar vehicles. His teammate in the No. 18 car will be announced at a later date.

Related Articles

Previous Articles