ABEL Motorsports announced on Tuesday morning that they have signed USAC star Taylor Ferns to contest all four INDY NXT presented by Firestone oval races over the course of the 2024 season.

Frans will compete at Iowa, World Wide Technology Raceway, Milwaukee and Nashville Superspeedway.

I’m so grateful to ABEL Motorsports and everyone who helped put this together,” “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 (a Chicago-based full-service real estate firm) believing in me and giving me the resources to fulfill a life-long 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.”

Team owner Bill Abel commented saying:

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 re-opens 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. We’re looking forward to getting her started on a testing program and see how things turn out – I’m sure she’ll do really well.”

Ferns who was at the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg presented by RP Funding said:

I spent the race weekend at St. Pete listening to the drivers on the radio, making notes and asking questions so I can be as prepared as possible. “The INDY NXT cars are rear-engine, while the Silver Crown cars are front-engine with the fuel behind us, and almost twice the horsepower. The INDY NXT cars seem more momentum-based and though they weigh about the same, all the weight will be behind me. So I think the best comparison is at the beginning of a Silver Crown race, with the heavy load of fuel in the back of the car.

“I took a few years off to focus on my studies, and worked as an operations manager at a law firm. “But I came back because I thought I could do so much more – and I’m missing a Silver Crown win from my accomplishments!”

Taylor is a founding partner of Women in Motorsports North America and speaking about Taylor, Lyn St James said:

Taylor attended my driver development program when she was about 13 years old. “I saw something special in her and have continued to watch and help her. Her talent and self-confidence are off the chart, and her commitment to being the best she can be is going to serve her well as she climbs the ladder in open wheel racing. She’s charting her own course, and I recommend keeping an eye on her as she continues to achieve great things.”

Speaking about her preparation to make her INDY NXT presented by Firestone race debut, Ferns said:

We have a few tests scheduled, and I’ll spend time at the Dallara simulator as well as looking at plenty of video. “I know I can be successful, but I also know that I’m racing against drivers that have been racing these cars for several years, so my expectations are reasonable – though I do have high expectations of myself.”

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