Photo: Abel Motorsports
Abel Motorsports has added another driver to its 2024 Indy Nxt line-up, with Taylor Ferns joining the team for the season’s four oval races.
Ferns will make her single-seater debut at Iowa Speedway in July, then will race at Gateway a month later and then in the final two rounds on the Milwaukee Mile and at Nashville Superspeedway.
The 28-year-old is a star of short track oval racing, with race wins in USAC’s national Midget and Sprint Cars championships as well as podiums in its Silver Crown Series. She won a regional title when racing midget cars.
“I’m so grateful to Abel Motorsports and everyone who helped put this together,” said Ferns.
“Excited is an understatement. Indy Nxt has been on my radar for several years, and I’m so happy to have it come to fruition, especially with partners like Bradford Allen believing in me and giving me the resources to fulfill a lifelong dream. I know the team has been strong on ovals, with Jacob [Abel] taking pole at Iowa last year, so I know we will have a strong effort.”
Bill Abel, the team principal, commented: “Taylor is a true racer. She understands what’s involved in transitioning from Silver Crown and Sprint Cars to the Indy Nxt car, and I’m confident that she’ll do well. It would be great if her experience reopens the pipeline from USAC to this form of racing – we’ve seen drivers be successful in the very recent past. I know we’ll be able to transfer a good deal of knowledge about the car to her, but I’m sure we’ll learn a lot from her, as well.”
Ferns will be one of two women on the Indy Nxt grid later in the season, with USF Pro 2000 graduate Lindsay Brewer driving for the Juncos Hollinger Racing team.