Abel Motorsports boss Bill Abel makes feelings known on Callum Hedge's championship potential in 2025 Indy NXT

Callum Hedge has a trusted and experienced force in his corner as he gears up for the 2025 Indy NXT season. Abel Motorsports boss Bill Abel has shown full faith in his new driver, who leaves HMD Motorsports for them.

Hedge made his debut in the Indy NXT by Firestone in 2024 with HMD Motorsports. Before that, the New Zealander had won two championships in 2023 - the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and the Formula Regional Americas Championship.

In his rookie year in the Indy NXT, Hedge finished fourth with 332 points and one podium finish in Detroit. His speed impressed Bill Abel, who jumped at the first opportunity to sign him for his sophomore season in 2025. The Abel Motorsports boss also declared that the 21-year-old could win the championship in his second shot.

"Callum's first season in Indy NXT was great. There is no reason that (he) can't compete for podiums, wins, and ultimately the 2025 championship," Abel said via Indy NXT.

Abel's first interaction with Hedge came in 2023 when he was in New Zealand. Abel said (via Abel Motorsports):

"I had the opportunity to meet Callum for the first time in 2023 over in New Zealand and was impressed with his skill behind the wheel of a race car and from that point on always kept tabs on him to watch his progression and see where his career was taking him."

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Callum Hedge hones in on 2025 Indy NXT Championship after learning-filled rookie season

2023 Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand Championship Round 1 - Source: Getty

Callum Hedge didn't have a straightforward start to his Indy NXT campaign. He contracted appendicitis earlier in the year and missed most of the pre-season testing. Yet, the HMD Motorsports driver secured five top-5 finishes.

In November, Callum Hedge assessed his rookie season, serving as a decent platform for a championship-winning second season with Abel Motorsports. He said (via Abel Motorsports):

"2024 was a great season for me, and I really feel like I learned a lot about not only the Indy NXT car but the series as a whole. That should make 2025 a bit smoother, only having to focus on extracting the most out of the car as possible.

"Our goal in 2025 is simple: contend for the Indy NXT Championship. [This year] was a time for learning and growing, but now joining Abel Motorsports, I feel really confident about our chances of being a [race] winner in 2025 and continuing the great lineage of Kiwis in the IndyCar system."

Callum Hedge will retake the wheel of his No. 12 Dallara for Abel Motorsports when the next Indy NXT season kicks off at St. Petersburg on March 2.