Jacob Abel will return to INDY NXT by Firestone competition for the first time since 2024, replacing Jordan Missig this weekend in the Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway.

Kentucky native Abel (photo, top) will drive the No. 48 entry for his family-owned Abel Motorsports team. It’s his first start in the INDYCAR development series since he finished second in the series standings behind champion Louis Foster in 2024. He earned all three of his INDY NXT victories that season driving for his family team.

The 35-lap race starts at 2 p.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 9 on the 12-turn, 1.964-mile road course (FS1, FOX One, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls). Abel recorded one of his three victories in 2024 at Portland.

Abel climbed to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2025, finishing 27th in the series standings for Dale Coyne Racing. He finished 24th in the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in May 2026 as a race rookie driving for Abel Motorsports.

Jordan Missig

Missig (photo, above) was forced to end his INDY NXT season early due to the costs of repairing heavy damage to the No. 48 machine inflicted in a crash with JM Correa early in the race July 19 at Nashville Superspeedway.

"Due to the severity of the damage and the cost of repairs, I unfortunately have to announce that my 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season has come to an end," Missig wrote on social media. “I’m absolutely gutted for my team at Abel Motorsports, my family and my sponsors that our season must end four races early.

“This may be the end of my 2026 season, but trust me: This isn’t the end of my story. We’ll be back. Better, faster and stronger than ever.”

Illinois native Missig is 15th in the series standings this season, with four top-10 finishes in 13 starts. He was in his second full-time season in the series, both with Abel. He joined the series with a limited schedule in 2024 with the Abel team.