At 16, Josh Pierson Is Determined To Become An IndyCar Series Sensation

Very few racers can say they win in their professional debut. It doesn’t necessarily mean success with ensue, but in the case of Josh Pierson, a triumph in his first FIA World Endurance Championship race has sent him on an upward trajectory.

The 16-year-old won at Sebring in the LMP2 category in a move to sports car racing after competing in the Road to Indy. But Pierson saw an opportunity to become a diverse racer, setting him up to become the youngest person to ever compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Now that Pierson has become a standout due to his IMSA experience, he’s leaning back on the IndyCar Series trajectory. Next year, he’ll compete for HMD Motorsports, a team that has a partnership with Dale Coyne Racing, in the Indy Lights division.

“When I think about the upcoming Lights, it’s about picking a goal that’s reasonable,” Pierson said. “To find that, I usually start out at a test. The next test we’re at, there will be a lot of cars there, and I can use that to gauge myself. From there, I can say what a realistic goal is for the season.

“IndyCar has always been my dream. I love the sports car side. It’s a totally different experience. I want to race in the Indy 500, and that’s what I’ve always been setting up to do. IndyCar is where I see myself to have a long career.”

At the same time, Pierson will keep racing for United Autosports, co-owned by McLaren F1 CEO Zak Brown, in the World Endurance Championship.

“There’s going to be a lot to learn next year,” he said. “In general, it’s going to be a great program.”

Pierson began racing at just 2 years old, when his dad strapped him behind the wheel of a go kart for the first time. His trajectory has been steady and rapid, gaining a reputation among his peers as a clean racer.

Stephen Simpson, Pierson’s driver coach, is a veteran sports car racer. The young driver firmly believes in Simpson’s to guide him on the track.

“He’s given me the most advice and some of the best,” Pierson said.

Besides Pierson’s coach, he’s also picking the brains of his teammates. All he wants to do is learn and to grow as a racer.

The transition back to open wheel cars, he explained, won’t be difficult because of his prior experience in his early teenage years.

“My whole career has been open wheel up until this point,” Pierson said. “As for expectations, I don’t have any at the moment. It’s all about getting in the car and putting myself up against the Lights guys for two years. In IndyCar, it’ll be the same thing.”