
Nikita Johnson will join HMD Motorsports for four rounds of the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone season, sharing the role of driver for the #18 entry. While his primary focus for 2025 will be a full-season campaign in the GB3 Championship, Johnson will compete in INDY NXT at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the double-header weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, and the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway. A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, Johnson will make his series debut at the season-opening round, racing in front of a supportive home crowd of friends and family.
“I can’t wait for this next step of my career, and thank HMD Motorsports for the opportunity,” explained Johnson as he competes overseas in New Zealand. “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.”
Like many of the successful drivers who have gone through INDY NXT by Firestone, Johnson has spent the past few years finding success in the USF Pro Championships. In 2022, Johnson competed in the inaugural USF Juniors season, amassing three wins and seven additional podium finishes where he finished third in the championship. In 2023, Nikita Johnson competed in both USF2000 and a partial season of USF Pro 2000. In USF2000, he secured an impressive second-place finish in the championship, earning one win and seven additional podiums. During his partial USF Pro 2000 campaign, he participated in the final five rounds, achieving two wins and two more podium finishes. Johnson continued his strong performance in 2024 with a full season in USF Pro 2000, where he claimed second place in the championship, highlighted by eight wins and two additional podiums. He also competed in a partial season of the GB3 Championship, adding two more victories to his resume. Johnson’s entry into INDY NXT marks the next step in his career, as he seeks to showcase his talent on a larger stage while maintaining his momentum in international competition.
“Nikita has been gaining more experience in New Zealand and has been on the podium a few times already in 2025,” expressed Team President Mike Maurini. “Having him compete in HMD Motorsports adds another solid driver to our program. While he and Max Taylor will share the #18 entry in select events, I expect to see both drivers close to the front of the field.”
HMD Motorsports will announce the third driver for the #18 entry to complete the season in due time.
Please be sure to follow HMD Motorsports on Facebook, X, and Instagram by searching @HMDMotorsports. For more information on HMD Motorsports visit HMDMotorsports.com or email info@hmdmotorsports.com.
RTD Media | HMD Motorsports | Photo: Nikita Johnson Racing