(INDIANAPOLIS, IN) – Jacob Abel will take on the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, marking a highly anticipated return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with his family’s team, Abel Motorsports. The Louisville native will pilot the No. 51 Chevrolet as he attempts to qualify for — and start — his first Indy 500 after being bumped from the field in 2025.
Abel Motorsports’ entry marks the team’s first appearance at the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” since 2023, when RC Enerson qualified 28th for the organization. The 2026 effort reunites Jacob with the team that helped propel his rise through the open-wheel ranks, including a standout 2024 INDY NXT season featuring 3 wins, 3 poles, and a runner‑up finish in the championship.
For Abel, the opportunity is both professional and deeply personal. After spending the past year competing in the Asian Le Mans Series and IMSA Weather Tech Sports Car Championship, he returns to IndyCar’s crown jewel with renewed determination. “It’s been a lifelong dream to compete in that race, and to have the opportunity to do it with Abel Motorsports and Chevrolet makes it even more special,” he said.
Team owner Bill Abel emphasized the significance of fielding his son in the family’s entry, calling the moment “emotional and special,” and praising the team’s depth of IndyCar experience. With the Abel Motorsports entry, the 2026 Indy 500 grid now sits at 32 confirmed cars, with one more expected to complete the traditional field of 33.
“We’re all beyond excited to have Jacob back with us at Abel Motorsports and ecstatic to be returning to ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’” Bill Abel said. “It takes a lot of special people to make this happen, and I can’t thank Chevrolet and INDYCAR enough for their help and belief in bringing this to life.”
“We have a tremendous group at Abel Motorsports, with a lot of NTT INDYCAR SERIES experience, and we really feel like we are in a great spot to give Jacob everything he needs. To have the opportunity to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in 2023 with RC Enerson was so cool and I’ll never forget the moment immediately after we qualified and put RC in the show. It was really emotional and special to me. Now, to have the opportunity to come back here with Jacob as our driver, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
As preparations continue ahead of open testing on April 28–29, Jacob Abel and Abel Motorsports look to complete their full‑circle journey — from developmental ladder success to a long‑awaited shot at Indy 500 glory.
“The Indianapolis 500 is the greatest race in the world, and the teams that compete reflect that,” Abel said. “Having won races and competed for championships with Abel Motorsports over my whole career, I am very confident in the program that they put together.
“It is going to be amazing to share this experience with not only my actual family, but the team that has become my family over the years. The preparations have been ongoing for some time, and I’m eager to finally get on track.”