- Abel Motorsports will fill up the 32nd entry for the Indy 500 race
- 33rd entry still remains in the air
- Andretti Global or PREMA Racing is tipped to field the 33rd entry.
With 51 days still on the clock before the Indianapolis 500, scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026, the grid remains one piece short of the full set. The race, which runs on a fixed count, has yet to lock in all 33 entries. With two slots open, Abel Motorsports has now thrown its hat in the ring, filing an entry to return to the grid.
The team plans to field Jacob Abel in one of its Dallara DW12 cars, handing the driver a shot at redemption after he was bumped from last year’s race.
Abel Motorsports is aiding the Indy 500 to fill in the entries
Abel Motorsports ran a car in 2023 and continues to build through its Indy NXT program. The only thing they really need is an engine lease, and it looks like Chevrolet is expected to provide support once again.
The Indianapolis 500 does not bend its rules to convenience. The field stands at 33 cars, no more, no less. The format traces back to 1934, when 11 rows of three cars became the standard. That structure has held its ground, preserving both the spectacle of the three-wide start and the tension of qualifying, where entries rise or fall on the margins.
It also aligns with pit lane and garage capacity at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With Abel’s entry, the count moves to 32 confirmed cars, leaving one final seat at the table. That last spot now hangs in the balance.
Which driver and team could fill the 33rd spot in the Indianapolis 500?
The Andretti Global team was expected to add another car, possibly for Colton Herta. But a scheduling conflict involving Formula 2 has thrown an obstacle into those plans. Should Herta be unavailable, the team must decide whether to draft a replacement or drop the extra entry.
Then comes PREMA Racing, another variable in the equation. The team’s IndyCar program remains under scrutiny amid financial and ownership queries. Their participation remains uncertain, though interest from funded drivers continues to build. Among the names in circulation is Katherine Legge, who has gathered momentum for a potential seat.
Fallback options also hover in the background, with AJ Foyt Racing mentioned as a possible solution if the pieces fail to fall into place.
If Andretti commits, the grid reaches its mark, and the matter will be settled. If not, the burden will shift to PREMA or another team to fill the final slot. And if more than 33 entries materialize, the Indianapolis 500 will not make room. Someone will be bumped in qualifying, and the door will close before race day.
