INDIANAPOLIS — Dale Coyne Racing announced that reigning Indy NXT by Firestone champion Nikita Johnson will pilot one of the team’s Honda-powered entries full time in the 2027 NTT IndyCar Series.
The 17-race series gets underway March 7 in Johnson’s hometown with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Johnson has previously won the season-opening race at St. Petersburg in Indy NXT (2026), USF Pro 2000 (2024) and USF2000 (2023).
The 18 year-old Floridian is one of the most exciting young talents joining the NTT IndyCar Series in 2027. During the 2026 Indy NXT season, Johnson became the youngest ever champion, winning the title at 18 years, three months and 12 days old.
Winning the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and the Grand Prix of Alabama. He consistently raced at the front of the field, recording nine podiums and 10 top-five finishes. He finished in the top eight in all 17 races and was the only driver to complete all 656 laps, Johnson etched his name in the history book.
Before winning the 2026 Indy NXT by Firestone championship, Johnson climbed the road to Indy becoming the 2024 vice champion in the USF Pro 2000 Series and 2023 Vice champion in USF2000. In 2025 Johnson took his talents oversees winning at Zandvoort and the historic Brands Hatch circuit in GB3 at just 16 years old.
Johnson will also have the support of OnlyBulls, a major team-wide partner of Dale Coyne Racing entering its third consecutive season with the organization in 2027. OnlyBulls, an AI-powered financial platform and digital wallet, has built a strong relationship with DCR through a shared commitment to innovation, competition, and developing opportunities in motorsports. The partnership reflects OnlyBulls’ continued investment in the team and its future in the NTT IndyCar Series.
Johnson joins Mick Schumacher and Indy NXT driver Matteo Nannini as the third ENVE-sponsored athlete competing across the broader IndyCar racing landscape in 2027.
“I want to thank Dale Coyne and everyone on the team for this amazing opportunity, together with OnlyBulls and my partners PV3 Enterprises/ENVE,” Johnson said. “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.”
