Jacob Abel Gears Up for Full-Time Debut with Dale Coyne Racing in 2025 IndyCar Series
The 2025 IndyCar season is shaping up to be an exhilarating journey for motorsports aficionados, with Jacob Abel stepping into the limelight as a full-time driver for Dale Coyne Racing. At just 23 years old, Abel is set to pilot the No. 51 car, marking a new chapter in his racing career with aspirations to make a significant impact in one of the most competitive arenas in motorsport.
The transition from the Indy NXT circuit to the IndyCar Series is a leap of faith for any driver, but Abel's track record speaks volumes. Over the past three years, Abel has been a formidable presence on the Indy NXT circuit, achieving three race victories and securing podium finishes in over two-thirds of last season's races—10 out of 14, to be exact. His journey started as a rookie ranking eighth in the points standings, escalating to becoming the runner-up last year, a testament to his skill and determination.
Reflecting on his relationship with Dale Coyne Racing, Abel expressed his gratitude and confidence. "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," he remarked. Abel attributes his optimism to the experienced personnel joining and returning to the team, believing they will "deliver a great race car" and assist him on this challenging yet thrilling journey.
Abel's journey to this point has been paved with multiple experiences across diverse racing platforms. Before his stint in the Indy NXT, Abel had competed in Formula 3 and 4, and the Indy Pro 2000 series between 2019 and 2021. These formative years have undoubtedly refined his skills and prepared him for the challenges of the IndyCar Series.
Dale Coyne, the veteran leader of Dale Coyne Racing, has been keeping an eye on Abel's progress over the years. "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," Coryne commented. This strategic move represents a shift from last season's approach when the team had multiple drivers for the No. 51 car.
The testing phase for Abel's upcoming season is already mapped out, beginning with an evaluation test at Sebring last fall, which bolstered the team's confidence in his potential. Continuing this momentum, Abel is set to begin testing at California’s Thermal Club in late January, further honing his skills and acclimating to the demands of the IndyCar machine.
Abel's highly anticipated IndyCar debut is scheduled for March 2 in St. Petersburg, Florida. This milestone marks the onset of a season brimming with promise and challenges, as Abel assumes the mantle of a full-time driver, a role that Dale Coyne Racing is keen to maximize by ensuring consistency and focus with one driver behind the wheel for the entire season.
As motorsport enthusiasts will be eager to see how Abel adapts to the heightened competition of the IndyCar circuit, the team dynamics are equally promising. The announcement of a full-time driver for the team’s No. 18 car in the coming weeks adds to an already compelling narrative around Dale Coyne Racing's strategy and aspirations for the 2025 season.
With a decade’s worth of experience amassed across various competitive platforms and a promising trajectory in his early 20s, Jacob Abel embodies the blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned capability capable of shaking up the IndyCar grid. With substantial backing from his team and rigorous preparation leading up to his debut, Abel and Dale Coyne Racing are poised to make a splash as the racing world eagerly awaits the inaugural green flag.