Pierson passes IndyCar licensing test

Josh Pierson has been approved to receive a competition license from the IndyCar Series that makes the 20-year-old Indy NXT graduate eligible to compete in 2027.

Pierson was the first driver to undergo a dedicated licensing evaluation by the series under its new and more strict licensing criteria. With nearly four full seasons of Indy NXT experience, Pierson placed sixth in the championship in 2025 and earned two poles and one win on the way to 11th in 2026, which meant he fell outside of the accepted criteria that would have placed him on a fast track to be licensed.

“Following IndyCar’s driver qualification, licensing standards and process, Josh Pierson participated in an IndyCar Series licensing approval test, Tuesday, on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course,” the series stated. “Pierson became eligible for the test based on his Indy NXT by Firestone race win at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca last month. Under close observation from series officials, IndyCar Officiating and former IndyCar Series driver Davey Hamilton, Pierson was deemed to have satisfied performance requirements based on criteria such as car control, pace, consistency and communication. As such, Pierson is now eligible for an IndyCar license to compete in the IndyCar Series.”

Pierson was known to have signed with AJ Foyt Racing prior to the new licensing strictures and was offering teams a two-year, $25 million funding package before settling with Foyt. With his eligibility confirmed by the series, Pierson is expected to be confirmed by Foyt in the No. 4 Chevy alongside 2026 IndyCar Rookie of the Year Dennis Hauger in the No. 14 Chevy as the team undergoes a complete changeover among drivers.