IndyCar Officiating announced on Friday afternoon it has penalized Abel Motorsports.
The Indy NXT squad was deemed to be in violation of an additional testing limitation and the following rules:
• Rule 6.9.5. The following Testing is not permitted:
• Rule 6.9.5.3. Rig
IndyCar Officiating determined that Abel Motorsports tested gearboxes on a rig - which was used to gather and supply data - as part of its offseason preparations for the upcoming 2026 season. Rig testing, regardless if it is race equipment used separately or in any combination, is prohibited in the Indy NXT rulebook.
Per the rulebook, the violation is considered a Non-Race Procedure Penalty (9.2.3.), which includes the issuance of a monetary fine (6.10.1. and 9.2.3.2.) and issuance of a probation (9.2.3.3.).
As a result, Abel Motorsports has been fined $25,000 and must supply all data from the testing to IndyCar. Following that, IndyCar will then distribute the learned data to all the other teams in the interest of fairness and competitive balance.
Abel Motorsports, along with all four of its entrants - Car Nos. 12, 48, 57 and 99 - have also been placed on probation through the end of the race at World Wide Technology Raceway, which is set for Sunday, June 7, 2026.
Members may contest the imposition of the penalties detailed in the review and appeal procedures of the Indy NXT by Firestone rulebook.
