FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX St. Petersburg: Racing's Rising Star, Gulfport's Nikita Johnson
Season 2 Episode 1610 · Jan 15, 08:33 PM
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Host Nanette Wiser has been interviewing Nikita Johnson since he was 14. At 17, his star is rising and the Gulfport native was in studio with his Dad Obie to fill us in on where's he's been in 2025 and where's he's going. During our interview, we learned some big news just in the night before: Nikita's lifelong dream to race in the 24 hours of Daytona is now a reality; he was asked to join Team Rahal Letterman Lanigan. Yes David Letterman. He will be racing in a McLaren 720 GT3 EVO which produces about 600 HP from a twin turbo V8. They call these colors the Papaya! He will easily be the youngest competitor this year in the 24 Hours of Daytona and will run the entire championship.
- When asked about the #21 racecar and what he hoped to be doing when he turns 21? "A winning Indy driver on the circuit!"
- Nikita Johnson joins Cape Motorsports powered by ECR for his first full-time season in INDY NXT by Firestone after three appearances with HMD Motorsports in 2025.
- The Floridian competed in four different open-wheel series on three continents in 2025. Besides his INDY NXT experience, he also raced in Formula Regional Oceania, British GB3 and FIA Formula 3. He became the youngest-ever race winner in British GB3 in 2024, taking the checkered flag at Zandvoort at age 16, following with a win at Brands Hatch.
- Johnson finished second in the USF Pro 2000 championship in 2024 and won eight races, and he placed second in the USF2000 championship in 2023.
- In advance of his full-season USF Pro 2000 effort in 2024, Johnson jumped to the series at the end of the 2023 season and triumphed at Circuit of the Americas to
become the youngest race winner in USF Pro 2000 history, at age 15. - Nikita was the first driver to win all 3 levels of the Road-to-Indy ladder which is USF Juniors, USF 2000 and USF PRO 2000. He is also the youngest in history to win at each level of this ladder: He was a 2-time winner in GB3, aka British Formula 3. He was 3rd in the Formula Regional Oceania championship in New Zealand. He currently has 19 Super License points of the 40 required for F1.
- When he's not racing, he loves to head out on his boat and fish and works out rigorously daily.
- Java House is his new sponsor (he loves a latte, but avoids sugar and eats clean, no processed food.
- Cheer for Nikita! Join he and his family, including brother Kai (who also races but now is playing baseball too) at Gulfport's O'Maddy's Feb. 25 (time TBD) with Greg Billings band and lots of racing fun.
- Nikita will also be at City Hall for the raising of the flag with Mayor Ken Welch.
- Follow him https://www.instagram.com/nikitajohnsonracing/
KICK OFF INDYCAR Party in the Park Before the cars hit the track, the festivities officially kick off for the community on Thursday, Feb. 26 with the annual INDYCAR Party in the Park and 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track. Free to the public, INDYCAR Party in the Park takes place at North Straub Park from 4-7 p.m. ET and features driver appearances, displayed race cars, music, giveaways and more. The 5K will give runners and walkers the unique opportunity to take on the same course as the racers. Participants can register at gpstpete5k.com with all proceeds benefiting the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Single Day tickets to the 2026 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg are now available online at gpstpete.com for the 22nd annual running of the iconic event in downtown St. Petersburg, Feb. 27 - March 1.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Single Day tickets to the 2026 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg are now available online at gpstpete.com for the 22nd annual running of the iconic event in downtown St. Petersburg, Feb. 27 - March 1.
- The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will bring fans three full days of family fun and nonstop racing action with seven total races from five different racing series. Daily General Admission tickets are $30 for Friday, $55 for Saturday and $70 for Sunday. Single Day Grandstand tickets are $135 for Silver and $110 for Bronze seating. Junior pricing is available for attendees ages 12 and unde
- Multi-day tickets can still be purchased at gpstpete.com for those wanting to attend all three days of the action-packed weekend. A 3-Day General Admission ticket offers the best value at $80, and 3-Day Grandstand seats are priced at $185, $170 and $140 for Gold, Silver and Bronze, respectively.
- “There’s nothing like kicking off the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season on the streets of St. Petersburg, and we’re quickly closing in on race weekend,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. “Fans can look forward to a full weekend of incredible racing across multiple series, along with an atmosphere that’s fun for the entire family. With single-day tickets going on sale and three-day passes still available, now is the time to make plans to join us in downtown St. Petersburg for this spectacular event.”
- The NTT INDYCAR SERIES headlines the weekend with its season-opening 100-lap race starting just after Noon ET on Sunday, March 1. The series will start its season in St. Petersburg for the 16th time and make its 22nd annual visit to “The Sunshine City.” For the first time in its history, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will battle on a street course as part of Saturday’s racing lineup. The jam-packed three-day schedule also features INDYCAR’s future stars as the INDY NXT by Firestone and USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire series speed through the downtown waterfront. The weekend will also showcase fender-bending sports car racing from Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin.
- Fans looking to enhance their experience can also purchase Pit Passes and Firestone IndyCar Paddock Passes in order to get up-close to the action. Additionally, the Rookie Racers program returns for the youngest fans attending on a Junior ticket. For an additional $35, while supplies last, children aged 5 to 12 will be immersed in behind-the-scenes experiences with activities scheduled all three days and receive a special membership kit.
- WATCH IT ON TV The battle for the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone championship begins at 10 a.m. (all times Eastern) Sunday, March 1 on FS1 from the sunny streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Round two of the championship takes the series to the much-anticipated inaugural race on the 14-turn, 2.73-mile Streets of Arlington circuit and the Grand Prix of Arlington at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 15, also on FS1.
- Follow Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on social media using @gpstpete and #FirestoneGP for the latest updates. Joining the E-Club also provides insider access to the latest news and offers.
- About Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg:The 22nd annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is a race event held during Florida’s spring break season. Traditionally the site of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ season-opening race, St. Pete is a destination city hosting this annual motorsports tradition and offering a festival atmosphere with its downtown location. The 2026 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg airs live on a national broadcast on FOX on March 1. NASCAR will also conduct its very first street race for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in its history on the streets of St. Petersburg in 2026. The temporary circuit is a 1.8-mile, 14-turn configuration that uses the streets circling Pioneer Park, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, The Dali Museum and extending onto the runway at Albert Whitted Airport, and borders the waterfront of Tampa Bay and picturesque St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is owned and operated by Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC. Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC is owned by Green Savoree Racing Promotions 2, LLC whose other subsidiaries also promote three additional NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid (July 3-5, 2026), BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland (Aug. 7-9, 2026) and Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham (Aug. 14-16, 2026).
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