Indy NXT champion Nikita Johnson 'pretty confident' he'll be in IndyCar in 2027

Indianapolis – Just days after securing the Indy NXT championship, Nikita Johnson appears even more certain than before that he will have one of the 25 full-time positions on the IndyCar grid for the 2027 season. Johnson, who won the Indy NXT title with Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR and competes in IMSA’s GTD Pro class with RLL Team McLaren, believes he is well-prepared for an IndyCar seat next year.

He told reporters ahead of IMSA’s Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that he "should be good" for an IndyCar spot, but never writes off his chances until a deal is signed. Johnson first said his IndyCar prospects would likely become clear within a week or two after winning the championship, and less than two weeks later, he is convinced he will make his IndyCar debut in 2027.

Four seats remain open for the 2027 season with Chip Ganassi Racing, AJ Foyt Racing, Dale Coyne Racing, and Juncos Hollinger Racing. The St. Petersburg, Florida native, born on the day Scott Dixon won the 2008 Indianapolis 500, feels his youth has been advantageous in landing an IndyCar team. He is currently ninth in the GTD Pro class with teammate Max Esterson, and aims to race in NASCAR one day, with IndyCar being his top priority.