INDY NXT race winner Josh Pierson will make his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut in 2027 after signing a multiyear agreement with AJ Foyt Racing, team officials announced. Pierson will pilot the No. 4 Chevrolet, completing a two-car lineup alongside 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year Dennis Hauger.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- Rookie Integration: Pairing Pierson with Hauger gives AJ Foyt Racing a dynamic young tandem to build around heading into the 2027 campaign.
- Equipment Stability: Securing a multiyear deal in the No. 4 Chevrolet allows Pierson to focus entirely on oval and road course engineering adjustments without short-term seat pressure.
- Season Opener Focus: The partnership is scheduled to log its first official green flag at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 7.
A Multiyear Agreement and a Historic Team Milestone
The 20-year-old native of Portland, Oregon, brings a diverse résumé to his upcoming open-wheel campaign. Team President Larry Foyt noted that he closely monitored Pierson’s progress over multiple seasons, pointing to the driver’s maturity and testing performances in both a Panoz DP01 Champ Car and the team’s Chevy-powered car on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
AJ Foyt Racing is set to commemorate the 50th anniversary of A.J. Foyt’s fourth Indianapolis 500 victory during the 2027 season. Foyt famously became the first of four drivers to win the Indy 500 four times, joining a legendary club later expanded by Al Unser, Rick Mears, and Helio Castroneves.
| Driver | Car Number | Chassis/Engine | Key Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Pierson | No. 4 | Chevrolet | INDYCAR Series debut in 2027; multiyear deal |
| Dennis Hauger | No. 14 | Chevrolet | 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year |
From Le Mans to the INDYCAR Grid
Pierson’s motorsport background features substantial endurance racing credentials. At 16 years old, he became the youngest driver to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The gold-rated FIA driver has collected race wins and podium finishes across the FIA World Endurance Championship—including a notable second-place finish in the LMP2 class at the 8 Hours of Bahrain in 2022—alongside stints in the Asian Le Mans Series and IMSA.
After transitioning back to open-wheel racing in the INDY NXT by Firestone development series, Pierson secured his strongest championship finish in 2025 with HMD Motorsports by taking sixth in the standings with two podiums and 11 top-10 finishes. Moving to Andretti Global for the 2026 season, he placed 11th in points while breaking through for his first career INDY NXT victory by leading every lap from the pole at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. He also claimed a pole position and set a two-lap average qualifying record at the Milwaukee Mile in late August, maintaining strong momentum by starting on the front row and leading laps across the final three races of the year.
Racing in INDYCAR has been my dream for as long as I can remember,
Pierson stated. The variety of racing I’ve done has all been in preparation for this incredible opportunity.
Preparation and the Road to St. Petersburg
AJ Foyt Racing evaluated the young prospect through a series of rigorous test sessions over the past year. Larry Foyt highlighted Pierson’s composure during high-pressure situations, especially noting his performance at Laguna Seca where he managed restarts and executed from start to finish.
With Dennis Hauger locked into the No. 14 Chevrolet carrying sponsorship from Homes For Our Troops, AJ Foyt Racing has finalized its primary driver pairing. Pierson’s machine will feature a new commercial partner revealed at a later date.
Being a part of AJ Foyt Racing, a team with incredible history, means the world to me,
Pierson added. I’m excited about what Larry and the entire team are building for the future.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
