Newly crowned Indy Nxt champion Nikita Johnson made his highly anticipated IndyCar test debut at Barber Motorsports Park this week, driving for Dale Coyne Racing as he evaluates his future options in top-tier American single-seater racing.
The track action commenced with Formula 2 title contender Alex Dunne taking over driving duties during the morning session on October 26. Following the morning run, the 18-year-old American stepped into the cockpit for the afternoon session to experience the sheer speed and aerodynamic load of an IndyCar for the very first time.
His journey through the junior formula ladder has been remarkably consistent. He first raced at Barber in 2022 during his single-seater rookie campaign, finishing third in the USF Juniors standings before securing runner-up honors in both USF2000 in 2023 and USF Pro 2000 in 2024.
Last year saw him make brief appearances in the Indy Nxt paddock before venturing into the GB3 Championship and contesting the second half of the FIA Formula 3 Championship season. He returned to full-time Indy Nxt competition this year, securing a dominant championship title built on consistency, eight total podium finishes, and flawless points-scoring finishes inside the top eight.
Reflecting on his first laps behind the wheel, the teenager admitted that the step up in performance surpassed his expectations, particularly noting the intense braking demands required to tame the high-horsepower machine.
"It was great. It was faster, more downforce. It was surreal. I watched this series forever. To finally be here was so special," he shared regarding the test experience. Discussing his on-track adaptation, he added, "Everything was pretty spot on in the car as the only little thing I need to work on is the braking and get used to that stopping power."
Having secured the championship crown, he is ineligible to return to Indy Nxt next year. Both he and Dunne are now positioned among a select group of drivers contending for vacant seats on the grid for the upcoming 2027 IndyCar season.
Baca Juga
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