Max Taylor never envisioned becoming a race car driver during his childhood, but everything changed after discovering Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive series. At the time, Taylor was just a preteen, casually turning on the TV out of curiosity. Though he enjoyed toy cars and the Cars movies, racing was not something he had ever seriously considered.
“I had such an unorthodox entry into racing,”
Taylor shared.
“I was basically just a ‘Drive to Survive’ fan of Formula One. That’s how I got into racing.”
His initial interest quickly grew into enthusiasm, leading him to spend every birthday party at a go-kart track. What started as a fun pastime turned into a competitive commitment, with Taylor entering national karting events.
Rapid Development Toward INDY NXT
Now 18 years old, Max Taylor has swiftly climbed the open-wheel racing ranks to a point just shy of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. He is set to begin his rookie season in INDY NXT by Firestone behind the wheel of the No. 28 Andretti Global car. His progression reflects not only talent but also intense dedication.
“I think it really comes from my love and passion for the sport,”
Taylor said.
“To get to this level, you have to live and breathe it and love it so much.”
He also acknowledged the crucial role of his support system.
“I’m so honored to be here. With the support from my family and my parents, you really need the whole package to make this work. My rapid progression has been thanks to them and to me doing a good job along the way.”
Taylor’s debut in open-wheel racing came in 2023 through the USF Juniors Championship, where he won one race, stood on the podium three times, and earned six top-five finishes. That season also included part-time campaigns in the USF2000 Championship and the Formula 4 United States Championship, achieving four top-10 finishes in USF2000 and peaking at sixth place in Formula 4.
In 2024, Taylor built on that momentum by winning the USF Juniors Championship and securing a third-place finish overall in USF2000. Concurrently, he contested a full season in the USF Pro 2000 Championship, notching a win, four podiums, nine top-five results, and 13 top-10 finishes in 18 races. Outside of that, he made six INDY NXT starts with one top-five and four top-10 finishes.
Taylor’s offseason tests have underscored his speed as he consistently ranked first or second across sessions. Reflecting on his achievements, he stated,
“I wouldn’t be where I am if I didn’t deserve to be here and hadn’t proven myself.”
Nikita Johnson’s Journey Toward the Indy 500
Nikita Johnson’s racing story contrasts with Taylor’s; he was born on the same day Scott Dixon won the 2008 Indianapolis 500—May 25, 2008. From birth, Johnson has held onto the dream of one day winning the Indy 500 on his birthday. Now 17, the Florida native prepares to begin his rookie season in INDY NXT by Firestone for the 2026 season, driving the No. 21 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR car.
“Hopefully, of course, make it to the INDYCAR SERIES first,”
Johnson said.
“I’ll just keep fighting for the Indy 500 until it lands on my birthday. That would be unbelievable. I don’t know if anybody’s ever done that before, but it would be very cool.”
Johnson’s rise through the ranks has been rapid. He made three INDY NXT starts in 2025 with HMD Motorsports and secured second place in the USF Pro 2000 championship in 2024. The year before, he was runner-up in USF2000. Notably, he became the youngest winner in the USF Pro 2000 series at just 15, taking victory at the Circuit of The Americas.
Looking ahead to his first full INDY NXT campaign, Johnson has clear goals.
“Top three in the championship would be my goal as a rookie,”
he said.
“Obviously, winning would be amazing, but we have so much talent in INDY NXT this year. If I could get top three, that would be an excellent result. By the end of the year, I hope to get to test an Indy car somewhere. That would be a dream come true.”
Noteworthy Updates and Team Changes in INDY NXT
Several other young drivers and team developments are shaping the competitive landscape of INDY NXT in 2026. Max Taylor’s No. 28 team closely mirrors the outfit behind last season’s INDY NXT champion, Dennis Hauger, with one exception. Taylor jokes, “Will Power stole my engineer,” referring to Andy Listes moving up to work with Power in INDYCAR’s No. 26 TWG AI Honda. He added,
“But it’s been great working with Don Bricker this year and building that relationship. I’m really excited about it.”
Seb Murray is entering his second INDY NXT season, this time with Andretti Global, having made his rookie season debut with Andretti Cape in 2025. The move to the main Andretti team means access to top INDYCAR drivers. Murray explained,
“Moving into the main team comes with more perks. I’m going to try to pick the brains of Will Power, Kyle Kirkwood and everyone in the INDYCAR team to get as much advice and as many secrets as I can.”
Salvador de Alba switched from Andretti Global to HMD Motorsports for 2026 after finishing strong in 2025. He tallied three straight top-five finishes, including his first INDY NXT victory at the Milwaukee Mile in the penultimate race. Reflecting on the transition, de Alba said,
“It felt very natural with HMD. I’m very thankful they trusted me, even before everything was signed and put in the effort. I went to the Barber test without knowing what was happening next season. I think that built a lot of trust and confidence between me and the team. Now I’m signed, and I’m ready for 2026.”
Another newcomer, 19-year-old Tymek Kucharczyk from Poland, steps into his rookie INDY NXT season after winning the 2025 Euroformula Open championship. Although new to American racing, Kucharczyk feels supported by familiar opponents. He remarked,
“I’ve raced some of them in GB3 – Max Taylor, Seb Murray. I know a couple from F4, as well. It’s a new type of racing for me, but there are familiar faces, and I know what to expect from at least a few drivers.”
Colin Kaminsky returns to ABEL Motorsports and INDY NXT after making eight starts with the team in 2023. Kaminsky, who grew up playing hockey, is also an enthusiastic supporter of Team USA for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games.
“I’m going to ride with the U.S.,”
Kaminsky said.
“Being a Chicago guy and (Connor) Bedard not being on the roster is questionable, but I like the U.S.”
Emerging Talents and the Future of Racing
Max Taylor’s remarkable journey, fueled by a chance encounter with a Netflix series, represents the unpredictable yet inspiring paths athletes take toward professional racing. His passion, combined with strong family backing and notable early results, has set a fast track toward INDYCAR’s top tiers. Alongside him, Nikita Johnson and others continue to advance through the development system with clear dreams and measurable success.
The influx of fresh talent like Salvador de Alba, Tymek Kucharczyk, Seb Murray, and returning competitors such as Colin Kaminsky signals a highly competitive INDY NXT season ahead. Their diverse backgrounds and ambitions highlight the series as a proving ground, shaping the future stars of American open-wheel racing.
As the 2026 season approaches, fans and teams alike anticipate an intense battle for prominence, with rookies aiming to establish themselves and veterans seeking breakthroughs. For Max Taylor and others, the blend of passion, preparation, and opportunity born from unexpected beginnings like Drive to Survive could define the next era of racing excellence.
