Open-wheel champion Max Garcia will drive for ABEL Motorsports in INDY NXT by Firestone for the entire 2026 season, team officials confirmed Sept. 15.
Garcia, 16, joins ABEL after winning consecutive championships in the USF2000 Championship in 2024 and USF Pro 2000 Championship in 2025. He will drive the No. 12 ABEL Motorsports car throughout the 2026 INDY NXT schedule.
“I’m excited to join the team at ABEL Motorsports and build upon the momentum they’ve generated coming out of a strong 2025 season. Competition in the INDY NXT series will be fierce, and I look forward to having an opportunity to rise to the occasion and contend with some of the best.”
Miami-area native Garcia brings an impressive junior resume to the INDYCAR development series. Following a decorated career in karting, Garcia joined Pabst Racing’s USF2000 team in 2023. After collecting two podium results in a partial rookie season, Garcia won five races and stood on the podium 10 times en route to the series title in 2024.
Garcia remained at Pabst Racing and made the jump to USF Pro 2000 in 2025. He eclipsed his 2024 statistics by scoring nine wins (a tie for series’ best in a single season), nine poles and 13 podium results in 18 races. In addition, Garcia completed every lap during the season.
“We are really excited to have Max joining us for the 2025 season.” ABEL Motorsports Owner Bill Abel said. “Although he is very young, his career and accomplishments are very impressive. He is a dedicated, hardworking and quality young man.
“For ABEL Motorsports to be able to secure the 2025 USF Pro 2000 champion and the scholarship that comes with that is a big step for the team. It says a lot about where we are today and how competitive we have become in the INDY NXT championship.”
Garcia joins ABEL Motorsports for his rookie INDY NXT season alongside his former Pabst Racing teammate Myles Rowe, who will enter his second year under the ABEL banner.
Garcia’s first laps behind the wheel of an INDY NXT car will take place later this month at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois, followed by the annual Chris Griffis Memorial Test in October at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course in October.