Dale Coyne Racing Names Reigning Indy NXT Champion Nikita Johnson for 2027 IndyCar Series

Reigning Indy NXT champion Nikita Johnson is stepping up to the highest tier of American open-wheel racing. Dale Coyne Racing announced today that the 18‑year‑old Floridian will pilot one of the team’s Honda‑powered entries full‑time in the 2027 IndyCar Series as an ENVE‑sponsored athlete.

The 17‑race long 2027 IndyCar calendar begins March 7 in Johnson’s hometown at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg – a venue where he has already amassed an outstanding track record. He captured the season opener at St. Petersburg in three different feeder championships: Indy NXT (2026), USF Pro 2000 (2024) and USF2000 (2023).

Johnson joins IndyCar as one of the sport’s most compelling young talents after a record‑breaking 2026 campaign. He became the youngest Indy NXT champion in history at 18 years, three months and 12 days old. His 2026 season featured wins in St. Petersburg and the Grand Prix of Alabama, nine podiums, ten top‑five finishes, and a flawless completion of all 656 laps, placing eighth overall.

“I want to thank Dale Coyne and everyone on the team for this remarkable chance, together with OnlyBulls and my partners PV3 Enterprises/ENVE,” Johnson said. “I also thank my family for their steadfast support and my management crew for working with Dale Coyne to advance my career. My focus is maximizing this opportunity at the top level of motorsports.”

Before securing his Indy NXT title, Johnson meticulously climbed the ranks. He finished as vice champion in USF Pro 2000 in 2024 and USF2000 in 2023. Earlier in 2025 he competed internationally in the GB3 Championship at age 16, winning exciting battles at Zandvoort and Brands Hatch.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for DCR to bring on a bright and versatile driver backed by a solid U.S. résumé,” noted team proprietor Dale Coyne. “Nikita has ridden numerous car types and honed skills across the U.S.’s Indy NXT, USF series, Formula Regional in New Zealand, and F3/GB3 on European circuits.”

Additionally, Johnson will receive support from the AI‑powered platform OnlyBulls and the digital wallet, both of which are becoming major partners to Dale Coyne Racing for the third consecutive season.

He also becomes the third ENVE‑backed athlete in the 2027 lineup, joining Indy Car Series driver Mick Schumacher and Indy NXT driver Matteo Nannini. ENVE Composites, a PV3 Enterprises organization, expanded its role with the launch of ENVE Motorsports, which fields entries in both USF2000 and Indy NXT.

This collaboration grants Johnson access to state‑of‑the‑art technology, brand recognition and shared resources across the full IndyCar ecosystem, amplifying ENVE’s growth and visibility in motorsport.

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