Indy 500 Qualifying Update: Abel Misses Out as DCR Struggles Continue
In a disappointing turn of events for Dale Coyne Racing, rookie Jacob Abel failed to qualify for the 2025 Indianapolis 500. He joins teammate Nolan Siegel, who did not make the field in 2024, further highlighting ongoing speed issues for the team. Abel drove the No. 51 Honda but could not match the pace necessary to secure a spot in the race.
Abel’s performance echoed the struggles of his predecessor, Siegel, who qualified 31st last year and faced challenges during his attempts. This year, the team’s performance was characterized by a lack of speed, with Abel posting a final run speed of 226.394 mph, which was not competitive enough to advance.
Marco Andretti led a tightly contested Last Chance Qualifying session, clocking in at 229.741 mph with his No. 98 Andretti Global entry. He was followed by Marcus Armstrong of Meyer Shank Racing, who registered 229.091 mph, and Rinus VeeKay, who completed the session at 226.913 mph.
Reflecting on the process, Abel stated, “It sucks, obviously, for sure. We were fast all week and felt good with the race car. But something happened on Friday night; as soon as we hit Saturday, we just didn’t have any pace, and it honestly just kept getting slower.” He expressed hope for future developments, specifically for VeeKay, as the disparity in speed became increasingly evident.
Dale Coyne Racing must address these persistent technical issues ahead of the next season, as Abel remains determined to return for another attempt in 2026.
