Bill Abel’s team has made a significant mark on the Indy NXT scene, with his son, Jacob Abel, emerging as a standout in the 2023 season. Three wins, 10 podiums, two poles, and a second-place finish in the championship behind Andretti Global’s Louis Foster catapulted Abel Motorsports into prominence. Now, as the team looks to expand, they face hurdles in their ambitions to enter the NTT IndyCar Series, turning their attention to IMSA as a possible new venture.
Despite owning two Dallara DW12 Indy cars and positioning themselves as potential IndyCar entrants, the recent introduction of IndyCar’s charter program has complicated things for Abel. “The structural changes within IndyCar have made it difficult for us to find a home as a full-time team,” Bill Abel revealed, adding that partnerships with existing teams seem to be their only pathway for competing in races like the Indy 500.
Jacob Abel, aiming for a full-time IndyCar seat in 2025, remains the focal point of the team’s efforts, but with doors closing on a standalone entry into the series, Abel Motorsports is forced to explore new options. “Jacob and I are having meetings with teams trying to find a home for him,” said Abel, while also acknowledging that the team will stay committed to Indy NXT for another season, with rising talents like Yuven Sundaramoorthy and Myles Rowe joining their ranks.
However, Abel’s ambitions don’t stop there. He has been eyeing IMSA as a possible new direction for the team, particularly given the challenges in IndyCar. Abel attended the Sebring 12 Hours in March on a “fact-finding mission” and has since engaged in discussions with potential partners. “We’ve got a company talking to us about jumping into IMSA. It’s not out of the realm of possibility,” Abel said, hinting at a future in endurance racing.
While nothing is confirmed yet, Abel Motorsports could enter IMSA through various categories, with TCR, GT3, and LMP2 all being considered. “Nothing is off the table and that would be fun,” Abel said, clearly excited about the prospect of entering the world of endurance racing.
As the team prepares for the 2024 Indy NXT season, Abel Motorsports is setting its sights on a diversified future that could see them competing on both the IndyCar and IMSA grids.
