Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography
Nikita Johnson will step up to Indy Nxt later this year in addition to embarking on a full season in GB3.
The 16-year-old American is currently racing in Formula Regional Oceania, where he is second in the standings with four runner-up finishes from the first three rounds.
He has already committed to racing in GB3 with Hitech GP after taking two wins in a part-time campaign last year, and will now add four Indy Nxt races to his schedule as he replaces Max Taylor in HMD Motorsports’ eighth car for the St. Petersburg season opener, the double-header on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course and the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway.
Johnson finished second in USF Pro 2000 last year, the same result he achieved in USF2000 in 2023, and said the Indy Nxt outings will allow him to keep his “options open” for the future.
“I can’t wait for this next step of my career and thank HMD Motorsports for the opportunity,” Johnson said.
“My focus in 2025 is the GB3 Championship, but I am looking forward to 2026 and want to keep all my options open. Indy Nxt has grown massively, and the competition level is high, so it is on my radar, and this is a good way to gain experience and prepare for what could be to come.”
“Nikita has been gaining more experience in New Zealand and has been on the podium a few times already in 2025,” HMD president Mike Maurini said. “Having him compete in HMD Motorsports adds another solid driver to our program. While he and Max Taylor will share the No. 18 entry in select events, I expect to see both drivers close to the front of the field.”