The Indy NXT by Firestone series began its second race weekend of the season at Barber Motorsports Park on Friday afternoon, but hours before the first practice session came the first big headline of the weekend. Abel/Miller/Vinatieri Motorsports driver Jack William Miller was hit with a substantial penalty for improper behavior towards a race official. The main rule Miller was said to have infracted is Rule 9.3.1.8.
“Using improper, profane, or disparaging language or gestures in reference to any Official, Members or anyone else or improper, profane or disparaging language or gestures in reference to, concerning or connected in any way with INDYCAR, the INDY NXT by Firestone, NTT INDYCAR SERIES, or any Event and could result in additional penalties as determined by INDYCAR.” ~www.indycar.com
An unusual penalty to say the least, it packs a punch for the second year driver, as he has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation for the duration of the 2025 Indy NXT season. Additionally, Miller’s team will be forced to forfeit a set of tires for the weekend, and not be granted permission to set a qualifying time, relegating the #40 entry to the back of the 20 car grid for Sunday’s race.
“Made a mistake,” Miller commented on social media Friday morning. “Head down, ready for a good season. Thank you for everyone who is supporting.”
An Uphill Battle Awaits
For Miller, the penalty comes at the worst possible time: The track in Birmingham, Alabama is a circuit known for rewarding strong qualifying efforts, but making it dificult for drivers coming from the back of the grid. In 19 Indy NXT races at Barber so far, the polesitter has gotten the victory on 16 occasions, with the winner in the other 3 instances starting in the first 2 rows.
With Miller being required to start twentieth and last, the weekend becomes about damage control for him and his crew as a difficult tasks awaits him. After a first practice session that produced just one Abel Motorsports car in the top 10, and none higher than eighth, it appears there is work to do for Miller and his teammates ahead of the remainder of the weekend.
Though the task ahead of Miller is no easy one, it is by no means impossible. Louis Foster for example proved that it is indeed doable to make big leaps through the field at Barber, going from twenty-first to fifth position in 35 laps last season.
The pace to replicate that type of drive is there for Miller, who showed that he has taken a step up during the offseason, qualifying an impressive sixth for his team debut with Abel Motorsports at St. Petersburg in March. He went on to run in the top half of the field for the vast majority of the race before an incident in the closing laps put a sour end to what was an impressive weekend for the Indianapolis native.
If a similar level of speed can be found for Miller over the rest of the weekend, he may yet find himself looking at a top 10 finish, gathering much needed points and momentum in the early portions of the season. While this isn’t the start he’d hoped for, he has shown he has the confidence and poise to bounce back and run with the best.
written by Owen White / Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
