Only two drivers claimed multiple victories in Indy NXT this season, but neither are currently confirmed on the IndyCar grid for 2025.
A graduation after a standout performance is expected, but both Louis Foster and Jacob Abel haven’t been able to find a home in the big leagues yet.
There’s a variety of reasons for that, with a shortage of seats in IndyCar being the main one, which has even impacted some of the more experienced drivers.
It’s also well-known that it isn’t all about talent, and instead more about what sponsorship is brought to teams that can help others secure their opportunities.
Jacob Abel in ‘deep conversations’ over IndyCar future
There are still five untaken seats on the IndyCar grid for 2025 though, and that means that there is a lot of demand for those chances at Juncos Hollinger Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan, and PREMA.
Speaking to RACER, Bill Abel revealed that there are talks regarding finding the three-time race-winning Jacob Abel a seat for next year.
“Everything that’s going on structurally within IndyCar has made it difficult for us to find a home as a full-time team, so I don’t know that that’ll be obtainable next year, but we’re talking to teams.
“Jacob and I are having meetings with teams trying to find a home for him. I’m meeting with teams trying to figure out if there is a future for Abel Motorsports and IndyCar, and what that would look like.
“We’re having some pretty deep conversations. I don’t know where any of it is to wind up, but we’ll be in NXT next year.”
What other options does Abel have for the future?
There is an option for Abel to wait for the situation to unfold and look at entering the series from 2026, or even halfway through next season.
But as mentioned before, opportunities can be few and far between, meaning that a force-your-foot-in-the-door approach may be best at the earliest opportunity.
He has race-winning pedigree and is a young talent, but it may take him a few years to get up to speed as he earns experience.
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That could be part of the reason why no one has taken a gamble on him or Foster yet, acknowledging that the two could be projects.
When drivers like Romain Grosjean and Rinus VeeKay are still on the market, it’s hard to see them beating those guys out for a drive any time soon.