Inaugural Visit to Monterey Sees Team Enjoy Strong 2019 Finish

MONTEREY, Calif. - Abel Motorsports wrapped up their first Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires season on a strong note, during IndyCar’s first visit back to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 15 seasons.   

The Abel team earned another podium finish in Sunday’s season finale as Parker Thompson wheeled the #8 Abel Motorsports machine to a strong 2nd place finish, backing up his 4th on Saturday and cementing his 3rd place in the final Championship standings.

Abel Motorsports’ lead driver, 18-year-old college freshman Jacob Abel, took time off from his studies at Butler University to earn 7th and 5th place finishes on the weekend.  Those results moved young Abel into a tie for 8th in the final season standings.  

Unofficially, Abel Motorsports stands 3rd in the 2019 Indy Pro 2000 Team Championship for 2019.

Thompson, from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, won the first two races of the year at St. Petersburg, FL.   “If we’d had a few more laps, I think we would have won the finale,” said Thompson.  “The Abel Motorsports guys gave me a great opportunity this year.   We had a strong season, and I know this team has made great progress in 2019.   They will be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.  Jacob has made huge strides this season and he will win plenty of races during his career.  It’s been a terrific year, and it’s been an honor to be part of this team.”

Abel was equally pleased with his final race weekend of the year. “We were quick today.  We had great pace, and I would have liked to have had a few more laps to really show what we were capable of.   I think we could have been on the podium.  This team has really grown this season and I’ve learned a lot. I’m starting to prepare for 2020 tomorrow, and I can’t wait to get back in the car.”

Team Principal Bill Abel noted, “This has been a great first year on the Road to Indy.  We’ve learned a lot about this series and this system, and what it takes to succeed here. This is a tough series full of strong teams and fast drivers.   Being able to run up front here is quite an accomplishment.  We’ve built our team and added quality people to be able to contend in this Championship.   We’re excited about next year and we will continue to grow our program.”

Abel Motorsports also congratulates the 2019 Indy Pro 2000 Champion, Kyle Kirkwood.  Kirkwood won the 2018 F3 Americas Championship driving for Abel Motorsports, and credits his time with the Abel team for much of his success this year.  Kirkwood earned a series scholarship that will enable him to move up to Indy Lights in 2020.

Next up for the Abel team is the annual Road to Indy Chris Griffiths Memorial Series Test on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in a month, on October 19-20, 2019.    The 2020 season begins once again with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, FL, in mid-March.