Josh Pierson will be a part of the 2027 IndyCar Series and will drive for AJ Foyt Racing.
The 20-year-old moves up to top level machinery after competing four seasons in IndyNXT, and has been signed to a multi-year deal.
Pierson has worked his way up the IndyCar feeder series ladder over the past six years, and has also competed multiple seasons in LMP2 machinery in both IMSA and WEC.
His single IndyNXT came in the final weekend of last season at Laguna Seca, and his best championship finish was sixth in 2025.
Because he did not meet the automatic approval threshold in IndyCar’s new driver standards system, he completed a single-day evaluation test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier in the month.
He demonstrated sufficient speed and control of the car during that test, and was given official approval to seek an IndyCar seat.
AJ Foyt Racing had been rumored to be interested in the young talent for much of the latter portion of the season, but was only able to finalize the deal after the evaluation was completed.
“Racing in IndyCar has been my dream for as long as I can remember,” Pierson said.
“The variety of racing I’ve done has all been in preparation for this incredible opportunity. I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way and tremendously appreciative of the commitment of a new partner that will be announced shortly.”
Pierson is the first rookie to be confirmed for the 2027 IndyCar season, and he will race alongside last year’s rookie of the year Dennis Hauger as his team-mate.
As such, AJ Foyt Racing will have what is likely to be the youngest driver line-up on the grid as it looks to improve upon the 17th and 24th place championship results from last season.
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