Report: Dale Coyne Racing Adjusts Strategy Following Indianapolis 500 Qualification Setback
Detroit, MI — Dale Coyne Racing rookie Jacob Abel, who showed promise in the 2022 Indy NXT championship with three wins and ten podium finishes, faces a critical turning point in his inaugural IndyCar season. Following a disappointing start that culminated in his failure to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, the team has made significant changes to its engineering staff.
Abel currently sits last in the IndyCar championship standings after struggling throughout the first six races. With teammate Rinus VeeKay securing the final grid spot for the 500, Abel will now be working with Mike Colliver, an experienced engineer who stepped in during the Indy GP while original engineer John Dick was unavailable.
“This feels like my IndyCar season can finally get started,” Abel said in an interview with RACER. “The struggle at Indy was tough, but it pushed us to make necessary changes, and we’re motivated to turn things around.”
Abel expressed gratitude for the insights gained from both Dick and former engineer Ed Nathman, acknowledging their significant experience during this challenging phase of his career. Nathman has been replaced by Michael Cannon, who will now engineer VeeKay’s No. 18 Honda.
Abel noted the urgency for improvement, stating, “No one wants to be fighting for the last grid spot in the Indianapolis 500. We’re hoping these changes lead to more resources and consistency moving forward.”
With the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix marking the seventh race of the season, Abel aims to capitalize on this reset and showcase the competitive edge previously demonstrated in lower series racing. The coming weekend will be critical for both him and the team as they seek to recover from a tumultuous start to the 2023 season.
