Coyne signs Johnson for 2027 IndyCar season

Nikita Johnson will make his IndyCar Series debut with Dale Coyne Racing next season and drive the No. 19 Honda in pursuit of Rookie of the Year honors.

The reigning Indy NXT champion from Florida recently tested for Coyne at Barber Motorsports Park and has been expected to join the team, which has welcomed more junior open-wheel champions and front-running contenders than any other in IndyCar.

“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.”

Johnson took two wins and nine podiums on debut for Cape Motorsports powered by ECR and brings considerable experience to DCR despite still being in his teens.

“This is a great opportunity for DCR to sign a young and talented driver with an impressive resume,” Coyne said.

“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.”

With Johnson’s confirmation, 24 of the 25 full-time IndyCar entries have been filled, leaving Coyne’s lead No. 18 Honda as the last car waiting to be claimed.