This year’s Indianapolis 500 will have a 34th entry as Abel Motorsports is set to join the field for the 107th running of the great race.
Trackside Online reported on Friday that the team will pull together a few experienced crewmembers to build upon its current Indy NXT operation and run a race in the top-level IndyCar Series for the first time.
RC Enerson has been tipped to be the driver for the entry, with the part-time driver lending some expertise to the new program as it attempts to qualify for the race.
With 34 entries attempting to qualify for 33 available positions, there will be plenty of risk for the entire field during qualifying weekend. One driver and team is guaranteed to have a disappointing weekend and will not be able to compete in the race on May 28.
“Our team is excited to be an entry in the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 with RC Enerson as our driver,” team owner Bill Abel told Trackside Online. “We are fortunate to have great people on our race team that make things like this possible.
“I know that John [Brunner] and everyone on the team has been working hard to prepare for this opportunity. We will take it one step at a time, laser-focused on preparing.”
There were rumors around the paddock for the past couple weeks that a deal was coming together for another Indy 500 entry, but those details have now been confirmed.
The car will sport the #50 on the roll hoop, and will be powered by a Chevrolet V6 in the rear of the chassis.
Enerson has started five IndyCar events throughout the past seven years, and also attempted qualify for the 2021 Indy 500 with Top Gun Racing.
If he is able to qualify for this year’s event, it will be the first Indy 500 start for Enerson as well as Abel Motorsports.
“I can’t thank Bill [Abel] and John [Brunner] enough for this opportunity to be back at the 500,” said Enerson.
“This entry has been a work in progress for many months now. This Abel Motorsports crew is top-notch and loaded with experience. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of an IndyCar at IMS.”
Providing that the Chevrolet engine is ready to go in time, the team expects to take part in the Indy 500 open test on April 20-21.
