Abel began his senior racing career in 2017 at the age of 16, competing in the F4 United States Championship with Abel Motorsports.[3] The following season, Abel stepped back to a partial-season schedule in both the F4 United States Championship[4] and the new-for-2018 F3 Americas Championship.[5] Abel would score four podiums in his opening season in F3, en route to a fourth place championship finish. He took his first win in the series early the following season, scoring back-to-back victories at Road Atlanta.[6]
In 2023, Abel stepped outside of North America for the first time in his racing career, taking part in the 2023 Formula Regional Oceania Championship with Kiwi Motorsport.[7][8] He claimed four podium finishes, completing the season with a third-place championship finish. He returned to the series in 2024, making his first appearance during Round 4 at Euromarque Motorsport Park.[9]
Road to Indy
Abel in practice for the Indy NXT race at Mid-Ohio in 2024
Abel made his Road to Indy debut in July 2017 at Mid-Ohio, driving for Newman Wachs Racing.[10] After a part-time schedule in the series for 2018, Abel stepped up to the Indy Pro 2000 Championship in 2019.[11] His opening season in the championship was quiet, as he finished 9th overall with no podiums and two top fives. He would compete in just seven races in 2020 to supplement a full-season drive in the Formula Regional Americas Championship, scoring his first Indy Pro 2000 podium at Mid-Ohio that September. For 2021, Abel committed to a full-time schedule in Indy Pro 2000.[12] Claiming two podiums, one each at Road America and Mid-Ohio, Abel finished his first full season sixth in the standings. For 2022, Abel stepped up to Indy Lights, once again with Abel Motorsports.[13] He finished eighth in the championship during his rookie season, finishing as high as fourth at Portland and Laguna Seca. For 2023, Abel returned to the series.[1] He scored his first series podium in the opening race of the season at St. Petersburg, leading 27 of 40 laps before dropping to third on a late restart.[14] He would finish a season-high second at Road America and Iowa (where he claimed pole[15]), finishing fifth in the championship. In November 2023, Abel embarked on an IndyCar test with Dale Coyne Racing.[16]
Abel and his family's team returned for his third year in the series in 2024.[17] Following a second place at the season-opener in St. Petersburg, Abel took pole at Barber, from where he led every lap to take his first victory in the category.[18][19]
A graduate of Trinity High School in Louisville,[27] Abel attended college part-time at Butler University while pursuing his racing career.[28] A marketing major, Abel stated that his education helped him understand the financial and business aspects of motorsports.[29]
^"Battle between the aces on the cards for Christchurch". Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand. February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024. Jacob Abel... makes a welcome return to New Zealand for the final two rounds of 2024...
^Dagys, John (September 18, 2021). "Pepper, Caldarelli Dominate Race 1 at The Glen". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved December 5, 2021. Abel held off a hard-charging Matt McMurry for his first sports car racing victory after Hagler scored top class honors at Road America with Dakota Dickerson.
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