| CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway ovalSpeedway, IndianaMedia DayMay 21, 2026 Row 10 – Jacob AbelTHE MODERATOR: We continue on with row 10 this morning. Starting 30th, it’s been a long journey, so happy to see him in the Indianapolis 500, driver of the No. 51 Abel Construction Chevrolet for Abel Motorsports, Jacob Abel. – We’ve got Carb Day tomorrow. Ideally, weather permitting, two hours of practice, and then we look ahead to Sunday. How much work do you still have to do on your car that you feel like before you get ready for Sunday’s race? Before you really feel ready for Sunday’s race?JACOB ABEL: I think for us it’s going to be a lot of procedural stuff. We haven’t done an INDYCAR race as a team together ever really. We did this race three years ago, some of the same guys, and we’ve got a bunch of people that have some experience, but for us it’s all working together on pit stops, strategy things, all sorts of stuff like that is probably the most important for us.Still need to work a little bit in traffic. Feel pretty good about our car, though. We’ve kind of spent the most work on that definitely throughout the month.Yeah, I think for us it’s kind of going to be getting the nerves out of our crew and all of that for pit stops and kind of getting me a little bit more up to speed here too.Dennis can speak to this too, but the pit lane entry here is kind of unlike anything else. The braking and all of that is really tricky. So trying to maximize that and working up to it as much as possible. THE MODERATOR: Just generally speaking for you, I know last year there was a lot of heartbreak involved in that. How much do you allow yourself now to look ahead to what trying to figure going to be like going into turn 1 and the opening lap and all the ceremonial things that you missed out on that you long for, but now you have the opportunity to be a part of?JACOB ABEL: Yeah, it’s still surreal. Last year was surreal, to be honest, getting up to that point, and then obviously I wasn’t able to take part of it.So I’ve been trying to really enjoy every single step of the week and really soak it all in. I’m excited for everything. I wish the weather was a little bit better, a little bit warmer, but yes, this is stuff I’ve been looking forward to my entire life. Still doesn’t feel real at all. I don’t know when it will.Sunday morning is still going to be pretty emotional, but I’m excited and full focus on the task at hand. THE MODERATOR: Let’s open it up for questions.Q. Couple questions for Jacob. With what happened last year and then coming back this year, how did that maybe change your appreciation for this place or deepen your appreciation for this place?JACOB ABEL: Yeah, it’s humbling for sure. Just when I thought I didn’t need to appreciate it any more, I’ve been a huge fan of this event my whole, entire life. My first race was the 98th running back in, I think it was 2014 then. So I’ve been to pretty much every single one since as a fan and then slowly working more and more closer to being a driver.Then obviously last year getting super close, basically as close as you can possibly get to it. Yeah, it’s made me respect it even more.Like I said, I’ve always looked up to this race, but you don’t truly understand it until it gets so close and then you can’t have it. Yeah, it’s just making me enjoy everything that much more, just getting here at the start of practice the beginning of last week, it’s so exciting.As a young driver, you never know how many chances you’re going to have at this. I don’t know how many chances I’m going to have at this. I would love to do this race every year for the rest of my life, but the reality of that is tough, and up until about a month and a half ago or maybe close to two months ago, I didn’t know if I was ever going to get to experience it again.Just to be here and enjoy it, I think is probably the biggest thing. Sunday is certainly going to be pretty special. Q. It’s like a flashback to our conversation at Daytona. I wanted to also ask, one of the cooler things with your team, with this program, in 2023 the guys that were part of the INDY NXT program were the guys that built that car that came here, but they didn’t get a chance to run it obviously. This year they do. This year a lot of those guys on this crew are all from the INDY NXT program. So the opportunity to just kind of see a little bit of a dream fulfilled for them to be part of this program with you?JACOB ABEL: Yeah, I think it speaks so much to our INDY NXT team’s skill set and experience because it basically is our whole, entire INDY NXT program has kind of gathered around this one car and building it and making it as fast as possible.On a personal note, it’s also just super special to me because these are people that they were all a part of my INDY NXT career, and basically every step of the ladder up until that point. So it’s very rewarding as just an overall experience for me to be able to share that with them.We’re all new to it. It’s kind of new to all of us, but it’s cool because we’re not new to each other at all. So we don’t have to build those levels of communication or anything like that or trust. I know my engineer trusts my feedback, and I trust that he is going to make good changes. That’s, I think, one of the biggest parts about that relationship in the first place.It’s been more just about implementing it into an INDYCAR at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — because that’s not a super big deal or anything.Yeah, it’s been super fun, super special, super rewarding experience, and it makes it all that much more emotional for sure. THE MODERATOR: Some of those guys are real daredevils, go back to roadsters and whatnot.Q. For both of you, when you have so little experience of this place, how do you judge when you’ve got the car as good as you can get it? As rookies, it must be incredibly difficult to say, well, it’s handling like this, and then Dale or your dad say, no, that’s as good as it gets, you need to expect that. How do you judge when enough is enough?JACOB ABEL: Yeah, I think it’s tricky for sure. You saw it on Monday, it’s hard to say when it’s too much until it’s like really too much. Yeah, it bites for sure.You have to respect this place. I think for me personally, I’m just taking what experience I do have from ovals and stuff, but I think even still, this place is so much different than any other oval we ever race at.Then you add in how extended the practice is and all of that, you have so much time to work up to it. Like Dennis said, we’re so used to these very quick weekends, and you have to be up to speed on lap 2 and just be maximizing everything fully to the limit.Here you do need to be exceptionally patient because these cars, the teams work year-round on making these cars as good as they possibly can, and you don’t want to hurt that. It’s really their baby, especially with qualifying and all of that. So you just need to take care of everything.For me it’s leaning on everyone around me, leaning on the data, times, and all of that a little bit, but I think more so it’s just kind of how you feel in traffic, how you’re able to kind of suck up to the people in front of you, passing people, or people passing you easily or not. I think it’s a lot of feel for sure.But yeah, it’s a good point. It definitely is hard to know when is too much without fully going over the limit. Q. Jacob, question for you. You said you’re working with INDY NXT team, and I know last year you were with an INDYCAR team. Are you working with someone for your own driving ability, like a coach or someone?JACOB ABEL: Yeah, I always have. I’ve always worked with Spencer Pigot. He’s spotting for me this weekend as well. He’s spotted for me the past four or five years. I have him to help on the driving side of things and share a little of that experience, because I obviously don’t have a teammate. Then Charlie Kimball is also on my radio calling strategy. He obviously has a lot of experience around here too.While I don’t have a teammate that’s out there, and I think that definitely hurts us a little bit for sure, I do have a lot of experienced minds in my corner, and I think that definitely helps a lot. |
| Indianapolis 500 Monday Practice Results |
| CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway ovalSpeedway, IndianaMedia DayMay 21, 2026 Row 10 – Jacob AbelTHE MODERATOR: We continue on with row 10 this morning. Starting 30th, it’s been a long journey, so happy to see him in the Indianapolis 500, driver of the No. 51 Abel Construction Chevrolet for Abel Motorsports, Jacob Abel. – We’ve got Carb Day tomorrow. Ideally, weather permitting, two hours of practice, and then we look ahead to Sunday. How much work do you still have to do on your car that you feel like before you get ready for Sunday’s race? Before you really feel ready for Sunday’s race?JACOB ABEL: I think for us it’s going to be a lot of procedural stuff. We haven’t done an INDYCAR race as a team together ever really. We did this race three years ago, some of the same guys, and we’ve got a bunch of people that have some experience, but for us it’s all working together on pit stops, strategy things, all sorts of stuff like that is probably the most important for us.Still need to work a little bit in traffic. Feel pretty good about our car, though. We’ve kind of spent the most work on that definitely throughout the month.Yeah, I think for us it’s kind of going to be getting the nerves out of our crew and all of that for pit stops and kind of getting me a little bit more up to speed here too.Dennis can speak to this too, but the pit lane entry here is kind of unlike anything else. The braking and all of that is really tricky. So trying to maximize that and working up to it as much as possible. THE MODERATOR: Just generally speaking for you, I know last year there was a lot of heartbreak involved in that. How much do you allow yourself now to look ahead to what trying to figure going to be like going into turn 1 and the opening lap and all the ceremonial things that you missed out on that you long for, but now you have the opportunity to be a part of?JACOB ABEL: Yeah, it’s still surreal. Last year was surreal, to be honest, getting up to that point, and then obviously I wasn’t able to take part of it.So I’ve been trying to really enjoy every single step of the week and really soak it all in. I’m excited for everything. I wish the weather was a little bit better, a little bit warmer, but yes, this is stuff I’ve been looking forward to my entire life. Still doesn’t feel real at all. I don’t know when it will.Sunday morning is still going to be pretty emotional, but I’m excited and full focus on the task at hand. THE MODERATOR: Let’s open it up for questions.Q. Couple questions for Jacob. With what happened last year and then coming back this year, how did that maybe change your appreciation for this place or deepen your appreciation for this place?JACOB ABEL: Yeah, it’s humbling for sure. Just when I thought I didn’t need to appreciate it any more, I’ve been a huge fan of this event my whole, entire life. My first race was the 98th running back in, I think it was 2014 then. So I’ve been to pretty much every single one since as a fan and then slowly working more and more closer to being a driver.Then obviously last year getting super close, basically as close as you can possibly get to it. Yeah, it’s made me respect it even more.Like I said, I’ve always looked up to this race, but you don’t truly understand it until it gets so close and then you can’t have it. Yeah, it’s just making me enjoy everything that much more, just getting here at the start of practice the beginning of last week, it’s so exciting.As a young driver, you never know how many chances you’re going to have at this. I don’t know how many chances I’m going to have at this. I would love to do this race every year for the rest of my life, but the reality of that is tough, and up until about a month and a half ago or maybe close to two months ago, I didn’t know if I was ever going to get to experience it again.Just to be here and enjoy it, I think is probably the biggest thing. Sunday is certainly going to be pretty special. Q. It’s like a flashback to our conversation at Daytona. I wanted to also ask, one of the cooler things with your team, with this program, in 2023 the guys that were part of the INDY NXT program were the guys that built that car that came here, but they didn’t get a chance to run it obviously. This year they do. This year a lot of those guys on this crew are all from the INDY NXT program. So the opportunity to just kind of see a little bit of a dream fulfilled for them to be part of this program with you?JACOB ABEL: Yeah, I think it speaks so much to our INDY NXT team’s skill set and experience because it basically is our whole, entire INDY NXT program has kind of gathered around this one car and building it and making it as fast as possible.On a personal note, it’s also just super special to me because these are people that they were all a part of my INDY NXT career, and basically every step of the ladder up until that point. So it’s very rewarding as just an overall experience for me to be able to share that with them.We’re all new to it. It’s kind of new to all of us, but it’s cool because we’re not new to each other at all. So we don’t have to build those levels of communication or anything like that or trust. I know my engineer trusts my feedback, and I trust that he is going to make good changes. That’s, I think, one of the biggest parts about that relationship in the first place.It’s been more just about implementing it into an INDYCAR at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — because that’s not a super big deal or anything.Yeah, it’s been super fun, super special, super rewarding experience, and it makes it all that much more emotional for sure. THE MODERATOR: Some of those guys are real daredevils, go back to roadsters and whatnot.Q. For both of you, when you have so little experience of this place, how do you judge when you’ve got the car as good as you can get it? As rookies, it must be incredibly difficult to say, well, it’s handling like this, and then Dale or your dad say, no, that’s as good as it gets, you need to expect that. How do you judge when enough is enough?JACOB ABEL: Yeah, I think it’s tricky for sure. You saw it on Monday, it’s hard to say when it’s too much until it’s like really too much. Yeah, it bites for sure.You have to respect this place. I think for me personally, I’m just taking what experience I do have from ovals and stuff, but I think even still, this place is so much different than any other oval we ever race at.Then you add in how extended the practice is and all of that, you have so much time to work up to it. Like Dennis said, we’re so used to these very quick weekends, and you have to be up to speed on lap 2 and just be maximizing everything fully to the limit.Here you do need to be exceptionally patient because these cars, the teams work year-round on making these cars as good as they possibly can, and you don’t want to hurt that. It’s really their baby, especially with qualifying and all of that. So you just need to take care of everything.For me it’s leaning on everyone around me, leaning on the data, times, and all of that a little bit, but I think more so it’s just kind of how you feel in traffic, how you’re able to kind of suck up to the people in front of you, passing people, or people passing you easily or not. I think it’s a lot of feel for sure.But yeah, it’s a good point. It definitely is hard to know when is too much without fully going over the limit. Q. Jacob, question for you. You said you’re working with INDY NXT team, and I know last year you were with an INDYCAR team. Are you working with someone for your own driving ability, like a coach or someone?JACOB ABEL: Yeah, I always have. I’ve always worked with Spencer Pigot. He’s spotting for me this weekend as well. He’s spotted for me the past four or five years. I have him to help on the driving side of things and share a little of that experience, because I obviously don’t have a teammate. Then Charlie Kimball is also on my radio calling strategy. He obviously has a lot of experience around here too.While I don’t have a teammate that’s out there, and I think that definitely hurts us a little bit for sure, I do have a lot of experienced minds in my corner, and I think that definitely helps a lot. |
| Indianapolis 500 Monday Practice Results |
| Chevrolet History at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval General Motors Wins – 18 Chevrolet Wins – 13 2024 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2023 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2019 – Simon Pagenaud – Team Penske2018 – Will Power – Team Penske2015 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2013 – Tony Kanaan – KV Racing Technology-SH Racing2002 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske1993 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Team Penske1992 – Al Unser, Jr. – Galles/Kraco1991 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1990 – Arie Luyendyk – Doug Shierson Racing1989 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Patrick Racing1988 – Rick Mears – Team Penske Oldsmobile Wins – 5 2001 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske2000 – Juan Montoya – Chip Ganassi Racing1999 – Kenny Brack – A.J. Foyt Racing1998 – Eddie Cheever, Jr. – Team Cheever1997 – Arie Luyendyk – Treadway Racing General Motors Poles – 20 Chevrolet Poles – 14 2025 – Robert Shwartzman – PREMA Racing2024 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2019 – Simon Pagenaud – Team Penske2018 – Ed Carpenter – Ed Carpenter Racing2015 – Scott Dixon – Chip Ganassi Racing2014 – Ed Carpenter – Ed Carpenter Racing2013 – Ed Carpenter – Ed Carpenter Racing2012 – Ryan Briscoe – Team Penske2002 – Bruno Junqueira – Chip Ganassi Racing1991 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1990 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Team Penske1989 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1988 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1987 – Mario Andretti – Newman Haas Racing Oldsmobile Poles – 5 2001 – Scott Sharp – Kelley Racing2000 – Greg Ray – Team Menard1999 – Arie Luyendyk – Treadway Racing1998 – Billy Boat – A.J. Foyt Racing1997 – Arie Luyendyk – Treadway Racing Buick Poles – 1 1992 – Roberto Guerrero – King Motorsports General Motors Podiums – 54 Chevrolet Podiums – 38 Chevrolet Driver Podiums – Emerson Fittipaldi (4), Helio Castroneves (3), Josef Newgarden (3), Pato O’Ward (3), Tony Kanaan (2), Arie Luyendyk (2), Rick Mears (2), Simon Pagenaud (2), Will Power (2), Al Unser Jr. (2), Michael Andretti (1), Ed Carpenter (1), Santino Ferrucci (1),Felipe Giaffone (1), Scott Goodyear (1), Ryan Hunter-Reay (1), Charlie Kimball (1), David Malukas (1), Juan Montoya (1), Carlos Munoz (1), Bob Rahal (1), Paul Tracy (1), Al Unser (1) Chevrolet Team Podiums – Team Penske (15), Arrow McLaren (3), A.J. Foyt Racing (2), Andretti Global (2), ECR (2), Galles Racing (2), KV Racing Technology (2), Patrick Racing (2), Chip Ganassi Racing (1), Doug Shierson Racing (1), Granatelli Racing (1), Kraco Enterprises (1), Mo Nunn Racing (1), Newman Haas Racing (1), Team Green (1), Walker Racing (1) Oldsmobile – 15 Oldsmobile Driver Podiums – Buddy Lazier (2), Jeff Ward (2), Michael Andretti (1), Billy Boat (1), Kenny Brack (1), Helio Castroneves (1), Eddie Cheever, Jr. (1), Gil de Ferran (1), Scott Goodyear (1), Steve Knapp (1), Arie Luyendyk (1), Juan Montoya (1), Eliseo Salazar (1) Oldsmobile Team Podiums – A.J. Foyt (3), Hemelgarn Racing (2), Team Cheever (2), Team Penske (2), Treadway Racing (2), Chip Ganassi Racing (1), ISM Racing (1), Team Green (1), Pagan Racing (1) Buick – 1 Buick Driver Podiums – Al Unser (1) Buick Team Podiums – Team Menard (1) General Motors Laps Led – 3709 Chevrolet Laps Led – 2699 Chevrolet Driver Laps Led – Emerson Fittipaldi (348), Mario Andretti (193), Simon Pagenaud (169), Ed Carpenter (144), Will Power (140), Tony Kanaan (133), Michael Andretti (132), Rick Mears (119), Helio Castroneves (98), Pato O’Ward (96), Danny Sullivan (95), Marco Andretti (90), Scott Dixon (87), Conor Daly (82), Josef Newgarden (69), Rinus VeeKay (65), Scott McLaughlin (64), Al Unser Jr. (52), Felix Rosenqvist (47), Arie Luyendyk (37), Bob Rahal (36), Bruno Junqueira (32), Alexander Rossi (30), Al Unser (27), Juan Montoya (26), A.J. Allmendinger (23), Sting Ray Robb (23), Ryan Briscoe (15), Gil de Ferran (13), Santino Ferrucci (12), Felipe Giaffone (12), James Hinchcliffe (12), Carlos Munoz (12), Alex Barron (10), Charlie Kimball (10), Christian Rasmussen (9), Robert Shwartzman (8), Spencer Pigot (7), JR Hildebrand (6), Callum Ilott (6), Oliver Askew (4), Kevin Cogan (4), Sage Karam (4), Kyle Larson (4), Jack Harvey (3), Scott Sharp (3), Rubens Barrichello (2), David Malukas (2) Chevrolet Team Laps Led – Team Penske (1019), Newman Haas Racing (325), ECR (306), Chip Ganassi Racing (179), Arrow McLaren (168), Patrick Racing (158), Andretti Global (140), Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (85), A.J. Foyt Racing (56), Galles Racing (56), KV Racing Technology (43), Doug Shierson Racing (37), Kraco Enterprises (35), Mo Nunn Racing (35), Juncos Hollinger Racing (18), King Motorsports (15), Prema Racing (8), Blair Racing (7), Kelley Racing (4), Team Cheever (3) Oldsmobile Laps Led – 996 Oldsmobile Driver Laps Led: Juan Montoya (167), Arie Luyendyk (129), Greg Ray (116), Kenny Brack (89), Tony Stewart (78), Eddie Cheever, Jr. (76), Helio Castroneves (52), Jeff Ward (52), Robby Gordon (50), John Paul, Jr. (39), Mark Dismore (29), Gil de Ferran (27), Buddy Lazier (27), Michael Andretti (16), Robbie Buhl (16), Billy Boat (13), Jimmy Vasser (5), Buzz Calkins (4), Sam Schmidt (4), Davey Hamilton (3), Scott Goodyear (2), Robbie McGehee (2) Oldsmobile Team Laps Led : Team Menard (207), Chip Ganassi Racing (185), Treadway Racing (137), Team Cheever (125), A.J. Foyt Racing (124), Team Penske (79), Team Pelfrey (39), Kelley Racing (29), Hemelgarn Racing (27), Genoa Racing (18), Team Green (16), Bradley Racing (4), Nienhouse Motorsports (3), Pagan Racing (3) Buick Laps Led – 14 Buick Driver Laps Led: Jim Crawford (8), Al Unser (4), Scott Brayton (1), Stephane Gregoire (1) Buick Team Laps Led: King Motorsports (8), Team Menard (4), Brayton Engineering (1), Formula Project (1) Manufacturer History at the Indianapolis 500 Wins (with competition) 27 – Offenhauser (1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1968, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1955, 1954, 1953, 1952, 1951, 1950, 1949, 1948, 1947, 1941, 1937, 1935)18 – General Motors 13 – Chevrolet (2024, 2023, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2013, 2002, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988)12 – Miller (1938, 1936, 1934, 1933, 1932, 1931, 1930, 1929, 1928, 1926, 1923, 1922)10 – Honda (2025, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2005, 2004)10 – Cosworth (1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978)8 – Ford (1996, 1995, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1967, 1965)5 – Oldsmobile (2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997)3 – Duesenberg (1927, 1925, 19243 – Peugeot (1919, 1918, 1913)2 – Mercedes (1994, 19152 – Maserati (1940, 1939)2 – Frontenac (1921, 1920)1 – Toyota (2003)1 – Foyt (19771 – Sparks (1946)1 – Delage (1914)1 – National (1912)1 – Marmon (1911) Earned Poles (with competition) 23 – General Motors18 – Offenhauser (1976, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1955, 1954, 1953, 1950, 1946, 1937)14 – Miller (1938, 1935, 1934, 1933, 1932, 1930, 1929, 1928, 1927, 1926, 1925, 1924, 1923, 1922)14 – Chevrolet (2025, 2024, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2002, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987)9 – Cosworth (1986, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977)9 – Honda (2026, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2016, 2005, 2004)7 – Ford (1993, 1970, 1969, 1967, 1966, 1965, 1964)5 – Oldsmobile (2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997)4 – Buick (1996, 1995, 1992, 1985)3 – Ballot (1921, 1920, 1919)2 – Foyt (1975, 1974)2 – Novi (1951, 1949)2 – Winfield (1948, 1940)2 – Maserati (1947, 1941)2 – Sparks (1939, 1936)2 – Wisconsin (1912, 1911)1 – Toyota (2003)1 – Mercedes (1994)1 – Pratt & Whitney (1968)1 – Cummins (1952)1 – Studebaker (1931)1 – Peugeot (1916)1 – Stutz (1915)1 – Sunbeam (1914)1 – Mercer (1913) |