Abel steps up to IndyCar with Coyne for 2025

Jacob Abel will make the step up to the IndyCar Series for a full-time rookie campaign with Dale Coyne Racing in 2025.

The Kentucky native, who finished Indy NXT runner-up in 2024, takes over in the #51 entry after having previously undergone an evaluation test with Coyne in 2023. Last year saw six different drivers start races in the #51 car across the IndyCar campaign.

“We have watched Jacob over the years and did an evaluation test with him at the end of the 2023 season, where he showed great promise in these cars,” said team owner Dale Coyne.

“It will be good to run one driver in the #51 car for the whole season, so that we can work on the consistency needed in the highly competitive NTT IndyCar Series.

“Our plans for our second driver are coming along quite nicely, and we will have more news on that in approximately three weeks.”

The team’s #18 entry is the last remaining full-time seat that is currently unconfirmed. 

Abel’s progression in IndyCar’s junior categories, particularly in Indy NXT, saw him evolve into a regular frontrunner.

He finished eighth and fifth in the drivers’ standings in 2022 and 2023 respectively, before a breakout campaign last year that saw him capture three wins and score 10 podiums in total across 14 rounds – missing out on the title to Louis Foster.

“It’s a lifelong dream come true… I can’t thank everyone who’s helped out along the way enough,” said Abel. “I’ve had a great relationship with Dale for the last couple of years, and I’m very thankful for the confidence he has in me.

“The team has some very experienced personnel joining and returning to the program, and I have full confidence they will deliver a great race car and help me learn the ropes of the NTT IndyCar Series. It’s going to be a fun but challenging journey, and I can’t wait to get started.”