After a championship-running 2024 in Indy NXT and a rookie year with Dale Coyne Racing in the IndyCar Series, 25-year-old Jacob Abel embarked on a whirlwind 2026 campaign that defied the usual single-seater trajectory. The Kentucky native shuffled between prototype machines, GT-style endurance cars and the open-wheel world, logging miles from the Middle East to the United States while gathering podiums, a first Indianapolis 500 start and valuable lessons for the future.
Abel himself describes the year as “definitely a bit of a diverse year for me,” noting that the schedule forced him out of his comfort zone and into a series of “different race tracks, different race cars, and just different scenarios all together.” The driver’s own words highlight the mixture of challenge and enjoyment that defined his multifaceted season.
From Asian Le Mans to the American endurance stage
The year opened in January with a surprise entry into the Asian Le Mans Series. Wearing the colors of Vector Sport, Abel piloted an LMP2 chassis, gaining exposure to the rigors of prototype racing in the Gulf region, notably at venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The experience sharpened his ability to manage traffic and fuel strategy, skills that would prove essential later in the United States.
Mid-season, Abel switched continents and signed with Era Motorsport for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Across five endurance rounds, he secured two podium finishes, demonstrating rapid adaptation to the GT-and-prototype hybrid format that defines IMSA. The driver praised the “different race cars” and the learning curve, emphasizing how endurance racing’s emphasis on consistency complemented his open-wheel background.
Indy 500 debut with a family-run effort
May marked a milestone when Abel returned to the United States for the Indianapolis 500. Fielding his own family-owned team, Abel Motorsports, he qualified and started the race, ultimately finishing 24th. Though the result fell short of a top-ten placement, the driver called the event “the highlight of it all,” underscoring the emotional weight of competing at the Brickyard under his own banner.
Reflecting on the Indianapolis experience, Abel said, “It was definitely a bit of a diverse year for me… the Indy 500 was the highlight of it all, for sure.” He added that the race taught him “a lot” about handling pressure in a marquee event, reinforcing his ambition to return with a more prepared outfit.
Back to the open-wheel roots and looking ahead
After the Indy 500, Abel re-joined the Indy NXT grid for the final four races of the season, achieving two top-five finishes. This brief return to the feeder series served as a reminder of his proven speed in open-wheel machinery while allowing him to stay sharp for future IndyCar opportunities.
Looking toward 2027, Abel acknowledges that his 2025 IndyCar stint “didn’t quite go to plan,” yet he remains focused on a return to the Brickyard. He explained, “I really want to get back to the Indy 500. That’s my huge goal… hopefully with a little bit more notice this time.” The driver also expressed a continued enthusiasm for endurance racing, noting that the “different scenarios” have broadened his skill set and made the upcoming years an exciting puzzle to solve.
