FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Speedway, Ind. (June 8, 2022) – Rounds 5 & 6 of the 2022 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Championship at the Raceway at Bell Isle in Detroit proved to be a difficult weekend for Abel Motorsports and drivers Jacob Abel and Ryan Phinny. Both drivers ended up having contact with the wall, derailing their drive to the front of the pack.
Indy Lights rookie Jacob Abel was riding a wave of confidence heading into the weekend, after his 5th place finish in race 2 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The weekend started off great for Abel as he managed his best qualifying results so far of the season, qualifying 7th for race 1 and 6th for race 2.
Unfortunately for Abel, the momentum he had gained did not carry over into the pair of races. Battling for position on the opening lap, Abel received contact bending a piece of suspension in the rear of his No. 51. Abel continued until lap 3, when he was pushed wide and unfortunately had his race end in the tire barriers.
With the car re-built, Abel was confident heading into race 2 with his 6th place starting position. Abel settled into his rhythm and began to set lap times consistent with the leaders. Bad luck struck again, as a mechanical issue on lap 22 forced Abel to pit and retire the car.
“Tough weekend for me and my Abel Motorsports guys. We had speed and that showed in our qualifying efforts, but unfortunately luck just wasn’t on our side. I have to thank the guys who worked so hard to get my car re-built in time for race 2, and once again giving me a fast car. I can’t wait to get back to Road America, and hopefully have some luck on our side this time,” said Jacob Abel
Ryan Phinny was back again in the No. 61 Dallara IL-15 and was able to continue his learning process, while at the same time moving up in the finishing order. After jumping into an Indy Lights car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time in 8 years, Phinny was excited to return to the car once again, this time for the Indy Lights Detroit Grand Prix.
Race 1 was all about survival for Phinny, as accidents and wall contact were a regular occurrence for a majority of the field. Phinny was able to keep the No. 61 MGM Grand Detroit sponsored machine clean and came home with an 8th place finish.
Race 2 was more of the same as the concrete walls surrounding the Bell Isle circuit continued to see action. After a great initial start and battling for position, Ryan Phinny touched the wall with his left rear causing a suspension issue. Phinny was able to pit for repairs and re-join the race, finishing in 11th.
“Detroit proved to be a tough race weekend. I struggled a bit in qualifying and was able to gather it back up to put the car in the top ten in the race. Race 2 I unfortunately brushed the wall hard enough to bend a rear toe link. We were able to make it until the first caution to pit, but as can happen with a track like Bell Isle, we went down a lap in the pits. We definitely have some work to do, but as always, the Abel Motorsports team did a fantastic job and my partners MGM Grand Detroit and MGM Resorts International were supportive all weekend,” said Ryan Phinny.
It’s a quick turnaround for Abel Motorsports, as the team heads next to Road America for the Indy Lights Grand Prix at Road America on June 12th. Make sure to keep up with the team by following @abelmotorsports on social media.
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Abel Motorsports including team Principal, Bill Abel, has been competing since 1972. Abel Motorsports is now on to the third generation with Jacob Abel being the flagship driver for the team. The team was able to capture the inaugural F3 Americas Championship in 2018, and currently competes in the top rung of the Road to Indy ladder, the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Championship. For more information visit the official team website at: www.abelmotorsports.com
Media Contact:
Jacob Donahue
- Email: Jacobdonahue47@yahoo.com