Josh Pierson will pilot the No. 4 Chevrolet for AJ Foyt Racing starting in the 2027 IndyCar Series. Pierson is an IndyNXT veteran who will move up to IndyCar with nearly four seasons of NXT experience, one victory, five podiums, two poles and the 2026 leader in laps led.
“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.”
On top of his Road to Indy success, Pierson is the youngest driver to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans along with a race winner and podium finisher in the FIA World Endurance Championship, Asian Le Mans Series and IMSA. The 20-year-old will join Dennis Hauger in an all-new, all-young driver lineup for AJ Foyt Racing.
“I’ve been watching Josh closely for the past several seasons,” AJ Foyt Racing President Larry Foyt said. “Few drivers at his age have his depth of experience, and his maturity and work ethic are remarkable. I believe in Josh, and we’re excited to be part of his continued development.”
Notably, Pierson’s victory, two of his podiums, and both of his poles came in the final three races of the 2026 NXT season.
Something to Prove: “The Pierson Rule”
Both parties will enter 2027 with something to prove. AJ Foyt Racing had a disappointing 2026 season. 2024 and 2025 were both incredibly strong seasons for the team. 2024 saw a pole and a top-10 points finish with Santino Ferruci behind the wheel. This attracted top young driver David Malukus to the team for 2025. 2025 saw three podiums, including a runner-up from Malukus in the 2025 Indianapolis 500.
While Foyt’s two drivers finished 11th and 16th in the 2025 points, the team’s two entries finished 17th and 24th just one season later with Ferruci and rookie Caio Collet. The team went from six top-5s to five top-10s and failed to put both entries in the Leader’s Circle after doing so the previous two seasons.
As for Pierson, there were questions if he would even be able to race IndyCar in 2027. In early September, the sanctioning body increased the standards in order to drive in the series. Going forward, any new driver from the Road to Indy pipeline would need a top-3 points finish or two victories within two years. These rule changes seemingly came as a response to AJ Foyt Racing’s interest in Pierson, and entering the penultimate NXT race weekend at the Milwaukee Mile, the Portland native had never come close to either.
Pierson’s surge in the final three races granted him an evaluation from the sanctioning body, which he ultimately passed to earn his 2027 opportunity. Evidently, both sides will have a lot to prove in 2027.
Remaining Open Seats
The No. 4 was one of only five open seats for 2027. Now, the pair of seats for Juncos Hollinger Racing and Dale Coyne Racing are all that remain open. Rinus VeeKay will all but certainly drive one of the JHR seats while 2026 NXT champion Nikita Johnson is rumored to land at DCR. Several drivers, including Collet, Nolan Siegel, Romain Grosjean, Enzo Fittipaldi, and Callum Illot have been named as contenders for the final two seats.
