Nikita Johnson Aims to Extend Dominance at Arlington in INDY NXT

Arlington, TX – March 13, 2026 – Following a commanding victory at St. Petersburg, 17-year-old Nikita Johnson enters the Grand Prix of Arlington as the championship leader in the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season. Johnson will look to secure his second consecutive win this Sunday, a feat not accomplished by a driver to start a season since Ed Jones in 2015.

Johnson’s Impressive Start

Johnson opened the season with a dominant performance at St. Petersburg, starting on the front row and utilizing a move taught to him by NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday to pass pole-sitter Max Taylor on the opening lap. He led all 42 laps to claim his first series victory in just his fourth career start.

This victory continues a pattern of success for the young driver, who has consistently won races throughout his professional career. Prior to INDY NXT, Johnson secured three victories in USF Juniors in 2022, one win in USF2000, and two in USF Pro 2000 in 2023. He further demonstrated his skill in 2024, dominating the USF Pro 2000 season with eight wins and adding two victories in the GB3 Championship, as well as a win in Formula Regional Oceania.

The Competition at Arlington

The race at Arlington, airing at 11 a.m. ET on FS1, FOX One, the FOX Sports app, and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls, presents a new challenge for all drivers. None of the 24 drivers have previously raced on the 2.73-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit, leveling the playing field and potentially creating opportunities for those further down the grid.

Can Johnson Maintain Momentum?

Johnson’s No. 21 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR entry is sponsored by Java House, the title sponsor for this weekend’s inaugural NTT INDYCAR SERIES event, the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington. His teammate, Matteo Nannini, also receives sponsorship from the brand.

Few drivers have started an INDY NXT season with back-to-back wins. Those who have include Paul Tracy (1990), Greg Moore (1995), David Empringham (1996), Scott Dixon (2000), Mark Taylor (2003), Alex Lloyd (2007), Junior Strous (2009), and J.K. Vernay (2010).

Hughes and Rowe Seek a Rebound

Two preseason championship favorites, Lochie Hughes and Myles Rowe, will be looking to improve their performance after struggling at St. Petersburg. Both drivers faced speed issues during offseason testing, with Rowe finishing no higher than fifth in testing sessions and Hughes typically appearing fourth or lower. They finished third and fourth in the 2023 championship standings, but currently sit fifth and sixth in points, respectively.

Fittipaldi Faces an Uphill Battle

Rookie Enzo Fittipaldi, widely considered a championship contender, experienced a difficult start to the season with a crash during qualifying at St. Petersburg. Starting 24th, he recovered to finish 17th but now trails Johnson by 41 points.

A Showcase of Young Talent

The St. Petersburg podium was notably young, with an average age of just 18. Johnson (17) won the race, Taylor (18) finished second, and Tymek Kucharczyk (20) completed the podium. The trend continued with Seb Murray (18) finishing fourth.

Grand Prix of Arlington Details

• Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026
• Time: 11 a.m. ET
• Broadcast: FS1, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls
• Track: 2.73-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit