JACOB ABEL SCORES FIRST INDY NXT WIN AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK!
MOTORSPORT AMERICA EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS OF THE INDY NXT FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA
by Derek Jackson
Birmingham, Alabama (April 28, 2024) – Jacob Abel driving the No. 51 Abel Motorsports car led all 35 laps from the pole position on Sunday in the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park. Abel’s win marked his first in 30 consecutive starts in the IndyCar Development Series and the first win for the family-owned Abel Motorsports team. His best previous results have been scoring 2nd, three times, including in the 2024 season opener March 10 at St. Petersburg, Florida.
Abel led both practices sessions and qualifying to win the pole position at Barber before collecting his first INDY NXT win. Abel said. “This team has been working for this for so long now, it was just up to me to deliver. Everything went right this weekend. I’m super happy.”
Nolan Siegel driving the No. 39 HMD Motorsports car started the race in the 2nd position and held that slot for the entire race. He wound up finishing in 2nd place when he was trailing Abel by about a second when a last-lap yellow flew ending the race. Siegel is currently ranked first in the INDY NXT SERIES, with Abel in 2nd place. Both drivers have 95 points each, with Siegel nudging-out Abel by the amount of laps-led in the series. “Congrats to Jacob,” Siegel said. “He did a great job all weekend. While I’m disappointed, I think it’s a good day when you’re disappointed with 2nd place.”
Claiming the 3rd place finish was the No. 29 driver for Andretti Global, James Roe, earning his second career podium finish. Caio Collet finished 4th in the No. 18 HMD Motorsports car and was the highest placing rookie for the day. Louis Foster rounded-out the top five, starting in the 21st position in his No. 26 Andretti Global Copart/Novara Technologies car.
Who says you can’t pass at Barber?
JACOB ABEL ON HIS WAY TO HIS FIRST WIN IN THE INDY NXT SERIES AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK!INDY NEXT points leader Nolan Siegel started in the 2nd slot and held that position for the entire race!James Roe, driving the No. 29 for Andretti Global, claimed the 3rd spot on the podium at Barber!Caio Collet was the highest-placing rookie of the day, finishing in 4th place for HMD Motorsports!Louis Foster started in the 21st position and finished in 5th place for Andretti Global!The No. 11 car of Nolan Allaer exits Turn Seven at Barber Motorsports Park!Callum Hedge is hot on the tail of Caio Collet as they exit the chicane at Barber!The No. 7 HMD Motorsports car piloted by Christian Bogle!Josh Mason driving his red No. 21 for Abel Motorsports!Niels Koolen’s No. 33 Super B Lithium Batteries HMD Motorsports car!Jonathan Browne’s No. 33 HMD Motorsports Hover car speeds up the Barber backstretch!The No. 76 of Lindsay Brewer chases down Michael d’Orlando in the turn!The No. 27 driven by Bryce Aron for Andretti Global!Caio Collet exits Charlotte’s Web at Barber!The No. 14 being driven by Josh Pierson for HMD Motorsports!Michael d’Orlando on the fly in his No. 3 Andretti Global Priority car!The No. 2 of Salvador de Alba Jr negotiates the famous Charlotte’s Web turns at Barber Motorsports Park!The INDY NXT Field races up the hill towards the chicane at Barber Motorsports Park!Jack William Miller driving the No. 40 for Miller Vinatieri, seen here entering Charlotte’s Webb!Caio Collet on his way to a rookie-best finish in the INDY NEXT Firestone Grand Prix of Alabama!Jacob Abel on cruise-control from start to finish in the lead at Barber!Lindsay Brewer exiting the chicane at Barber in her No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing car!Jamie Chadwick driving her No. 28 for Andretti Global!Jack William Miller takes the tight line behind Salvadore de Alba Jr in Turn Six at Barber!JACOB ABEL WINNER OF THE INDY NXT FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA!
