Jacob Abel to Make Full-Time IndyCar Debut with Dale Coyne Racing
In a major career leap, Jacob Abel is set to join the IndyCar circuit as a full-time driver for Dale Coyne Racing in 2025. The 23-year-old, who has been a notable presence on the Indy NXT circuit over the last three years, will pilot the No. 51 car for the entire season, marking a new era for both the driver and the team.
Abel has been making waves in the racing world, having achieved remarkable success in the Indy NXT series over his tenure. Last season was particularly impressive as he claimed three race victories and secured a spot on the podium in 10 of the 14 races. He finished as the runner-up in the points standings, a testament to his growing prowess and potential in the highly competitive landscape of motorsports. His rookie season saw him rank eighth, showcasing his rapid development and adaptability as a driver.
This ascendancy has not gone unnoticed by the Dale Coyne Racing team principal, Dale Coyne himself. Commenting on the decision to sign Abel as a full-time driver, Coyne stated, "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. It will be good to run one driver in the No. 51 car for the whole season, so we can work on the consistency needed in the highly competitive NTT IndyCar Series."
A Strategic Partnership
The partnership between Abel and Dale Coyne Racing is founded on a mutual admiration and strategic vision for success. Abel has expressed his enthusiasm and gratitude, highlighting the strong rapport he has developed with Coyne. "I've had a great relationship with Dale for the last couple of years," Abel reflected, "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."
Abel's debut in the No. 51 car will be pivotal not just for his career but also for Dale Coyne Racing, which operated with multiple drivers in 2024. The decision to field a single driver this season marks a strategic shift aimed at fostering consistency and a cohesive team dynamic—an approach that Abel seems perfectly suited for given his track record and burgeoning talent.
Preparations and Anticipations
Abel's journey to the IndyCar series has been meticulously planned. His involvement in a fall evaluation test at Sebring provided the team crucial insights into his capabilities and adaptability to the new racing demands. Looking forward, Abel is set to commence testing at California’s Thermal Club in late January, an essential preparatory step ahead of his eagerly anticipated IndyCar debut scheduled for March 2 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Having previously competed in Formula 3 and 4, and the Indy Pro 2000 series between 2019 and 2021, Abel brings a wealth of experience from various competitive stages of junior motorsport. His ability to transition smoothly between disciplines has clearly set him up for success at the larger stage IndyCar represents.
As the racing world eagerly awaits his first race, the anticipation surrounding Abel’s potential in the high-octane world of IndyCar continues to mount. With a firm foundation built on proven success and a promising partnership with Dale Coyne Racing, Jacob Abel looks to blaze a new trail in his already illustrious racing career. As he himself admits, "It's going to be a fun but challenging journey, and I can't wait to get started."
The scorching tarmac of St. Petersburg awaits this new star—a new chapter in the annals of motorsport is on the horizon.