FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Elkhart Lake, WI – INDY NXT by Firestone sophomore, Jacob Abel, gains his second podium finish of the 2023 season after his 2nd place finish at the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Road America. This also gives Abel Motorsports their 2nd podium finish so far in the season.
The new track surface at Road America coupled with the new Firestone tires for 2023 provided a lot of variables for Jacob Abel and his No. 51 Abel Construction crew to manage as they worked through the race weekend.
Practice 1 showed what Abel and the team were capable of, as they were able to post a time good enough for 4th place on the time sheets. That confidence found in practice 1 carried over into practice 2 and qualifying on Saturday as Abel would post the 6th fastest time in practice 2 and put a lap in during qualifying good enough for 6th on the grid.
The race played out in Abel’s favor, as he and his engineer Kent Boyer knew they had a setup that would pay off in the long run. As the race began to settle into a rhythm, Jacob Abel just kept hanging with the leaders and planning out when to make high percentage passes.
By lap 14, Abel had worked his way from his 6th place starting position all the way into 2nd place and was catching up to Nolan Siegel in 1st. Unfortunately, Abel ran out of laps to catch and pass 1st place but brought home the No. 51 Abel Construction machine 2nd for his best career INDY NXT finish to date.
“We had an absolute rocket this weekend in the No. 51 Abel Construction car. The new track surface, and our new Firestone Tires had us flying all weekend which as a racecar driver is incredibly fun. We are once again knocking on the door of our first INDY NXT win, which will make it all the much sweeter when we finally get it,” said Jacob Abel
Heading to a track where he has tons of prior experience in the lower formulas, Colin Kaminsky was hopeful for a breakout weekend in the No. 57 Slick Lock INDY NXT car. Starting off incredibly strong with practice 1, Kaminsky was able to time in with the 2nd fastest time in the session. Kaminsky was once again able to match that 2nd best time during qualifying for his very first front-row start in the series.
After some issues on the opening laps that saw Kaminsky hustling through the grass at Road America and ultimately into the 14th position, the Illinois native got into his rhythm and began to set his sights on working his way back through the field. Methodically picking off cars one by one, Kaminsky was able to work his way back to 10th place where he would wind up finishing for his 3rd top-ten finish of the 2023 season.
“This was an incredible weekend for both myself and Abel Motorsports. Obviously, the finish is not what we had wanted, especially after our strong start in practice and qualifying on the front-row, but we showed that we have the pace in both cars and belong up front. Between the Firestone tires, the new track surface, and the setup on my car, we were flying all weekend. It was an absolute blast,” said Colin Kaminsky.
Abel Motorsports moves on to another Midwest classic race track, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, on July 2nd for round 7 of the 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone championship. Keep up with all things Abel Motorsports by following the team on social media, @abelmotorsports.
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 freshly rebranded INDY NXT by Firestone series, the official development series for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. For more information visit the official team website at: www.abelmotorsports.com
Media Contact: Jacob Donahue– Email: Jacobdonahueracing@gmail.com