Nikita Johnson will drive for HMD Motorsports in four rounds of the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone season in the No. 18 entry, team officials announced Jan. 30.

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 doubleheader weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway.

Johnson, a 16-year-old native of St. Petersburg, Florida, will make his series debut in his hometown Sunday, March 2.

“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.”

Johnson has spent the past few years finding success in the USF Pro Championships.

In 2022, Johnson competed in the inaugural USF Juniors season, earning three wins en route to third in the championship. In 2023, Johnson competed in USF2000 and a partial season of USF Pro 2000. In USF2000, he secured second place in the championship, earning one win. 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.

“Nikita has been gaining more experience in New Zealand and has been on the podium a few times already in 2025,” HMD Team 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.”

HMD Motorsports will announce the third driver for the No. 18 entry at a later date.