Nikita Johnson joins Dale Coyne Racing for 2027 IndyCar season
Nikita Johnson will make the step up to IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing in 2027 as the defending Indy NXT champion embarks on his rookie season in IndyCar.
Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, Johnson began his professional single-seater career in 2022 in USF2000, since progressing through the USF 2000 Pro Championship, GB3, and the Formula Regional Oceania Championship.
“I want to thank Dale Coyne and everyone on the team for this amazing opportunity, together with OnlyBulls and my partners PV3 Enterprises/ENVE," said Johnson. "I would also like to thank my family for their unwavering support and my management team, for working with Dale Coyne to take the next step in my career. I am focused on working with the DCR team to maximize this opportunity at the top level of motorsports.”
2026 saw Johnson win the Indy NXT championship in his first full-time season in the series, beating out Enzo Fittipaldi by 29 points in a season where Johnson never finished lower than eighth. He became the youngest series champion at just 18 years old when he was crowned champion at the season finale in Laguna Seca.
Johnson will become the youngest driver in the IndyCar field in 2027 and becomes the second consecutive Indy NXT champion to land at Dale Coyne Racing the following season. Dennis Hauger spent just one year at the team, as he departed in the off-season to join AJ Foyt Racing, with Johnson effectively replacing Hauger at the team.
“This is a great opportunity for DCR to sign a young and talented driver with an impressive résumé," said Dale Coyne. "Nikita has raced many types of cars and has gained great experience in the USA with Indy NXT, the USF series, Formula Regional in New Zealand, and GB3 and F3 in England and Europe.”
Coyne has been known to nurture young IndyCar talent, most notably, Álex Palou, who spent his rookie season at the team before he went onto win five IndyCar championships in six years with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Johnson joins Christian Rasmussen, Louis Foster, and Hauger as the fourth consecutive Indy NXT champion to join the IndyCar grid the following year.
The American becomes the second confirmed rookie for the 2027 alongside fellow Indy NXT graduate Josh Pierson, who will race with AJ Foyt Racing.
Johnson's confirmation leaves his teammate and both Juncos Hollinger Racing entries as the only drivers unconfirmed for the 2027 season.
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