- Rookie Max Garcia scores the victory at the Milwaukee Mile becoming the second youngest driver ever to win an INDY NXT race
Milwaukee, WI (August 31, 2026) – For the first time in his INDY NXT by Firestone career, Max Garcia is an INDY NXT race winner after driving his way from ninth to fist at the Milwaukee Mile. The win makes Garcia the second youngest winner in INDY NXT history.
The Miami Florida native has been building confidence and experience behind the wheel of the No. 12 Abel Motorsports machine and was able to put everything together to capture his first victory since moving into the series.
“I’m super happy with the way the weekend went. I knew coming in that we had a really strong package from the test and was super excited to use everything I learned from the other ovals in the beginning of the year and put that into practice and have it work. I was a bit worried after qualifying because this track is known to be tough to pass, but once we picked off the first few cars I thought we had a legitimate shot at the win. I just kept timing my passes right, used my tools, and kept my Firestone tires under me and was able to drive to the front. Massive thanks to everyone at Abel Motorsports for all their hard work all year, it hasn’t been easy for any of us so just glad to know I was with the right group of people to stay persistent, and we finally got it done,” said Max Garcia.
Jacob Abel also had his work cut out for him after qualifying, but Abel and his engineer focused on a car that would allow them to work their way through the field strategically.
“Milwaukee is such a fun track to drive, but definitely one of the more challenging ovals on the schedule. Passing here is all about having the right car and the right timing, and we really hit on something today that let me make up some spots. I’m having a blast being back with the Abel Motorsports team, and being back in the INDY NXT car and am looking forward to finishing the year out strong in California,” said Jacob Abel.
Colin Kaminsky kept battling all weekend long, but unfortunately his weekend in Milwaukee did not go how he had hoped.
“By the end of the race I showed good pace in our #57 Slick Locks Abel Motorsports car, but I didn’t extract it early enough in the weekend. I had a poor qualifying attempt with a mistake that had me start towards the back. I went back and forth in the running order for a little while and just got unlucky going a lap down right as the caution came out. Either way I learned a ton and had a few good battles. I’m happy for the team and Max Garcia to pick up the win, it was cool to watch,” said Colin Kaminsky.
Always strong on the ovals, Myles Rowe was looking forward to closing out the final oval race of the year with a win, but unfortunately for the Georgia native the weekend did not go how he had planned.
“Difficult weekend for the Abel Motorsports with Force Indy group, we just didn’t seem to have the pace this weekend that we needed to charge to the front. We were taking what we could get during the race when unfortunately a car spun in front of my and just clipped my right rear ending our day. Theres no give up in this group, and we are going to push as hard as we can to close out the year with two wins in California,” said Myles Rowe.
The final INDY NXT by Firestone race weekend of the 2026 season kicks off on Saturday August 29th with practice and qualifying with practice being shown live on FOX Sports 2 and qualifying live on FOX Sports 1. The final INDY NXT oval race of the season goes green on Sunday August 30th with coverage beginning live on FOX Sports 1 at 11:00am ET. Keep up to date with all things Abel Motorsports by following the team on social media, @abelmotorsports or by visiting www.abelmotorsports.com
About Abel Motorsports: Abel Motorsports Team Principal Bill Abel began racing motocross in 1972, earning numerous championship titles as he continued the family motorsports tradition. In 2015, Abel Motorsports was launched starting in the USF2000 series and building their way up the junior open-wheel ladder. Abel Motorsports was able to capture the inaugural Formula Regional Americas Championship with driver Kyle Kirkwood.
Today, Abel Motorsports is a leading force in the INDY NXT by Firestone Championship, the official development series of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, where the team operates as a multi-car organization focused on the future. 2024 was a breakout season for Abel Motorsports scoring three wins, three pole positions, and 12 podiums on their way to second in the entrant championship.