Photo: Paul Hurley
Jordan Missig will remain with Abel Motorsports in Indy Nxt for a third year in 2026.
It will be the 27-year-old American’s second full season in IndyCar’s primary feeder series, having debuted in 2024 with a five-race programme which peaked with a ninth place.
Missig started 2025 with a sixth place, but was outside of the top 10 in the next six races. The season’s second half was stronger, with four finishes in the top eight and coming ninth in the points table.
“I’m extremely ecstatic to announce that I will be returning to Abel Motorsports and the Indy Nxt championship for the 2026 season with continued support from our returning partners Nexus Towing and Racing For Mental Health,” said Missig.
“While 2025 had some highs, there were a few things I identified as we went through the season that I am going to hone in and work on during the off-season that I think will help make me a stronger competitor in 2026 and help us challenge for wins.”
Abel’s team owner Bill Abel added: “Not only has Jordan become extremely competitive on the road and street courses, but he has become somewhat of an oval expert and that will see him stand on the podium next season.”
Missig was last victorious in Formula Regional Americas, in which he was fifth in 2021. He came 11th in USF Pro 2000 the next two years, taking two podiums.
Abel mentioned earlier this year his team would have a four-car 2026 line-up and that most of his drivers were already signed. This year’s USF Pro 2000 champion Max Garcia has been announced as one, and Myles Rowe will continue for a third season in the Abel Motorsports with Force Indy entry.
Andretti Global, Chip Ganassi Racing and HMD Motorsports will also be fielding four cars each next year.
Rob Edwards, Andretti’s incumbent Indy Nxt team principal before handing over the role to Ron Ruzewski next January, echoed his Abel counterpart’s comments that his team would have a four-strong contingent of cars and that most seats were already filled. Two drivers have been announced so far.
Andretti also provides technical support to Cape Motorsports for two cars entered as Andretti Cape.
Ganassi’s team manager Taylor Kiel shared his team’s plans with media, revealing that this season’s line-up of Bryce Aron and Niels Koolen is set to be retained and two cars have been bought to expand the programme.
He also made note that Alex Palou, Ganassi’s four-time IndyCar champion, “has an F2 team”. The Palou Motorsport outfit run by his father Ramon actually competes in Eurocup-3, and has not indicated it is planning a move into Formula 2.
HMD announced its downsizing from six to four cars for 2026 in August, with two of its cars going to Cusick Motorsports who it will provide technical support to. It has since been revealed HMD will help run Intersport Racing’s LMP2 prototype sportscars in IMSA, with the team operating out of HMD’s new workshop.