Note: This is part of a series of INDY NXT by Firestone team previews for the 2023 season.

Starting Lineup: Jacob Abel (No. 51 Abel Construction Dallara), Colin Kaminsky (No. 57 Slick Locks Dallara)

2022 in Review: The team made its debut in INDY NXT by Firestone last year and opted to run two cars. A combination of Antonio Serravalle, Flinn Lazier and Ryan Phinny made selected starts in one entry, while Abel was the flagship driver and ran all 14 rounds. Despite being one of the smallest teams on the grid, there were still flashes of strong performances as driver Abel produced five top-five finishes, including a best result of fourth in back-to-back races at Portland International Raceway and the opening round of the doubleheader at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Additionally, Abel only finished outside of the top 10 three times, which showcased his and the team’s ability to maintain consistent form.

New for ’23: Abel returns for a second season with his family-owned team, but there will be a new face alongside. Kaminsky spent the past three years in USF Pro 2000, with the past two only partial campaigns. He drove to three podiums, including two runner-up finishes in 10 starts last year.

Keep an Eye on This: With a year of experience under its belt, the team could be poised to take that next step and challenge for podiums. Additionally, Abel kept himself sharp over the offseason by competing in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship in New Zealand, snatching three podiums (two runner-up results) and using his solid consistency to finish third in the championship standings.

Little-Known Fact: Abel Motorsports has been competing since 1972, with Jacob as a third-generation driver. Additionally, the team captured the inaugural F3 Americas Championship in 2018 with Kyle Kirkwood, now driving in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with Andretti Autosport.

Jacob Abel                              Colin Kaminsky