AJ Foyt Racing signs Josh Pierson for 2027 IndyCar season
AJ Foyt Racing has announced the signing of Josh Pierson for the 2027 IndyCar Series season in the No.4 entry, as Pierson makes the step up from Indy NXT.
The 20-year-old American will move up to the premier class, having spent the past four years in IndyCar's junior category. Pierson's 2026 campaign saw him finish 11th in the championship, racing for Andretti Global.
It has been a much-anticipated announcement, given IndyCar's new licensing requirements, colloquially nicknamed "the Pierson rule", which has attempted to prevent those with limited junior success from racing in IndyCar. Pierson’s junior career has come under scrutiny due to a relative lack of success compared to his peers in Indy NXT.
The requirements needed Indy NXT drivers to finish top three in the championship or claim two victories in a 24-month period to be eligible to race in IndyCar, a criteria that Pierson didn't meet. However, those who have won one Indy NXT race were eligible for consideration on a case-by-case basis, as was the case for Pierson, who claimed his maiden Indy NXT win at Laguna Seca earlier this year.
Pierson was assessed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in October, where IndyCar officials stated that "Pierson was deemed to have satisfied performance requirements based on criteria such as car control, pace, consistency and communication."
“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.”
“Being a part of AJ Foyt Racing, a team with incredible history, means the world to me. I’m excited about what Larry and the entire team are building for the future. I’m grateful for their confidence in me and look forward to my first IndyCar green flag at St. Pete.”
Pierson completes AJ Foyt Racing's line-up, as he'll race alongside Dennis Hauger in 2027, who was previously announced to make the move to the team from Dale Coyne Racing.
“I’ve been watching Josh closely for the past several seasons. Few drivers at his age have his depth of experience, and his maturity and work ethic are remarkable,” said Larry Foyt, president of AJ Foyt Racing. “Over the past year, he impressed us in multiple tests in a Panoz DP01 Champ Car alongside current IndyCar drivers, and again in our Chevy-powered car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. I believe in Josh, and we’re excited to be part of his continued development.”
It marks a complete turnaround in line-up for the team, who have parted ways from both Santino Ferrucci and Caio Collet after an underwhelming 2026 season for the team.
Pierson is the first announced driver who will be eligible for the Rookie of the Year title in 2027.
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