Abel switches from IndyCar to IMSA for LMP2 endurance ride with Era

The next chapter in Jacob Abel’s driving career will take place in IMSA, where the former Dale Coyne Racing IndyCar Series driver will contest the five endurance races with Era Motorsport in the LMP2 class.

The 24-year-old from Kentucky spent nine years in open-wheel racing as he rose up the USF Championships ladder and reached Indy NXT, where he placed second in the 2024 championship behind Louis Foster.

Following an unrewarding rookie IndyCar season, Abel embarked upon an Asian Le Mans Series campaign in LMP2 with Vector Sport RLR, and was in contention for a GTD PRO seat within the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship before ultimately deciding to join Era for Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, Road America, and Road Atlanta.

Abel will share the No. 18 Era LMP2 with full-timers Ferdinand Habsburg and Naveen Rao, as well as Logan Sargeant as the fourth driver for this month’s Rolex 24 At Daytona.

“This is something I’m really excited about,” Abel told RACER. “We worked hard to continue in IndyCar, but that didn’t work out for this season. We already have the Asian Le Mans program going and that made making my first real move into IMSA in LMP2 an easy decision with Era.”

The Bulter University graduate will make his debut with the team next week at the Roar Before The 24 test at Daytona held the weekend prior to the Rolex 24.