New Horizons: Tom Abele Jr. Looking To Chase Title In 2026 After Stout Rookie Year At Oxford Plains Speedway

When it comes to short track racing and the Abele family, the New London-Waterford Speedbowl is part of their DNA. 

But after years of success in multiple divisions at the Speedbowl and around varying Modified racing disciplines around the Southern New England racing scene, Tom Abele Jr. spent the 2025 season chasing a new challenge at a legendary racing facility more than four hours away from home. 

On Sunday Abele will complete his rookie season in the Super Late Model division at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Me. 

Abele currently sits fifth in the Super Late Model division standings at Oxford Plains going into the division’s season ending 100-lap feature on Sunday. He has already clinched the division’s Rookie of the Year title.

“It’s been an amazing transition to doing this,” the 36-year old Abele told RaceDayCT. “We only have so much time left in racing between me and my dad and we really just wanted to do this together, do something different and it’s been really great for us.” 

The effort at Oxford also helped Abele foster a new relationship for support. In August Abele qualified for his first Oxford 250 where he finished 22nd. Before the event USNEPower signed as a sponsor for the team.

“[USNEPower owner David Miller] really made the 250 happen for us,” Abele said. “There was a 50/50 chance of us even doing it before he got involved with us. It’s one of the most expensive races we’ve ever done. His support allowed us to do that. I think it’s been a really good working relationship.” 

USNEPower stayed on as a sponsor for the Abele team following the Oxford 250 and will be on the car for the 2026 season at Oxford Plains. 

During Abele’s time racing Allison Legacy cars in 2003 and 2004, the series raced regularly as a companion division with the Pro All-Stars Series. Abele remembers being enamored by Super Late Models. 

But the racing path for Abele went from Allison Legacy cars straight to the Modified Racing Series in 2005. That began nearly two decades behind the wheel of various types of Modified cars for Abele, with much of those efforts coming at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. In addition to a longtime focus on the Speedbowl, Abele has also made 36 career starts with the Modified Racing Series and 18 career starts on the NASCAR Modified Tour.

Over his career at the Speedbowl Abele has two SK Modified victories, six SK Light Modified victories and one Allison Legacy car win. 

Abele won the 2022 SK Light Modified championship at the Speedbowl driving for team owner Bert Marvin. The pair parted ways after a handful of events in 2023. 

“My dad and I went to the Oxford 250 in 2023 as fans to watch,” Abele said. “It had been a long time since we had been up there watching anything. I was shocked to see how many cars there were and how competitive it was and how clean it was. … It’s a unique place and a unique group and a unique style of racing. The amount of cars they bring on a weekly basis for the Super Late Model division … it’s like 30-40 cars for every event.” 

The visit north led Abele to purchasing a Super Late Model and running the Pro All-Star Series Fall Foliage 150 at White Mountain Motorsports Park on Sept. 16, 2023. Abele finished 10th in his Pro All-Stars Series debut at White Mountain. 

“And we were like, ‘This is a lot of fun.’” Abele said. “It was a great experience.” 

Abele began the 2024 running a family owned SK Light Modified sporadically while running a limited schedule of Super Late Model events at Oxford Plains. It wasn’t long before the decision was made to focus on the Super Late Model. 

“Modifieds, that style of racing kind of went off the deep end a little bit for me,” Abele said. “You watch some of these races and these guys are killing their cars. It’s kind of wild to watch. I love Modifieds. It’s something we’ve done forever, it’s hard to get away from, ut this has been really fun to do. Just a different challenge.” 

In 2026 Abele will focus on chasing a Super Late Model track championship at Oxford along with participating in the track’s Oxford Jewel Triple Crown events like the PASS 200, Oxford 250. 

“I know we have the possibility to win there,” Abele said. “We had a second place this year. We had a lot of good runs. I know on any given night it could be our night. We’re learning. We’re fast every week and we’re learning the things we need to learn to get a win there.

“… [We’re] happy with our transition from Modifieds to fenders and know there’s a lot more to gain thats realistic. With support from USNE we know we can take our program to the next level and we’re excited for a promising 2026 season.”