Josh Pierson

Last updated
Josh Pierson
Josh Pierson (cropped).jpg
Pierson in 2022
Nationality Flag of the United States.svg American
Born (2006-02-14) February 14, 2006 (age 18)
Portland, Oregon, United States
WEC career
Debut season 2022
Current team United Autosports
Racing licence FIA Gold Driver.png FIA Gold
Car number23
Co-driver Oliver Jarvis
Starts12 (12 entries)
Wins2
Podiums4
Poles0
Fastest laps0
Best finish3rd in 2022
Previous series
2022
2020–21
2020		 Asian Le Mans Series - LMP2
U.S. F2000 Championship
F1600 Championship Series

Joshua Pierson [1] (born February 14, 2006) is an American racing driver. [2] He competes in Indy NXT for HMD Motorsports, the FIA World Endurance Championship for United Autosport, [3] and in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for TDS Racing. [4] He previously competed in the U.S. F2000 National Championship with Pabst Racing. [5]

Contents

Early career

Karting

Having begun his karting career aged two when his father Greg bought him a go-kart, Pierson soon began competing in regional and national competitions. [6] The American would win a number of accolades during the 2010s, most notably winning the Rotax Florida Winter Tour in 2016 and taking home the US Rotax Grand Nationals title the subsequent year. [7]

Lower formulae

At the age of 14, Pierson made his car racing debut in 2020, competing for Exclusive Autosport in the U.S. F2000 National Championship and partaking in two rounds of the F1600 Championship Series. [8] The campaign did not amount to much, as Pierson ended up finishing 20th in the drivers' standings.

The American would return to the USF2000 Championship the following year, this time as part of the Pabst Racing outfit alongside Jace Denmark and Yuven Sundaramoorthy. [9] He started out strongly, scoring a pair of third places at Barber, before bettering that performance with two runner-up spots on the Indy Road Course. [10] [11] Pierson continued to take regular finishes inside the top ten for the remainder of the season, though he would only manage to add one further podium to his name. He ended the year fourth overall, one place behind teammate Sundaramoorthy. [12]

Sportscar career

2022: LMP2 Debut

On August 17, 2021, United Autosports announced that it had signed Pierson to compete in the LMP2 category of the 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship. [13] This would make Pierson the youngest ever driver to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Having gathered some prototype racing experience at the 24 Hours of Daytona and two rounds of the Asian Le Mans Series, where he managed to take two victories in as many starts, Pierson won his debut race at the 1000 Miles of Sebring alongside teammates Oliver Jarvis and Paul di Resta. [14] With the team having controlled the race before an untimely red flag brought a premature end to proceedings, Pierson became the youngest race winner in series history. [15] [16] Following a points-scoring round in Spa, Pierson claimed the record of being the youngest starter at Le Mans and ended up finishing sixth. [17] More points were scored in the subsequent two races, which brought the #23 United crew into outside contention for the LMP2 title come the 8 Hours of Bahrain. [18] Despite finishing second during the race, the result would only yield third in the teams' championship for Pierson and Jarvis, though the American would receive an award for being the "Revelation of the Year" of the 2022 WEC campaign. [19] [20] [21]

Parallel to his WEC commitments, the youngster also partook in a full-time campaign in the IMSA SportsCar Championship as part of the PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports team. [22] [23] Pierson finished sixth in the drivers' standings, having gotten a podium finish at the season-ending Petit Le Mans race. [24]

2023: Return to United

Pierson re-signed with United Autosports to compete in the 2023 WEC season, once again partnering Oliver Jarvis, with a revolving door of drivers claiming the lineup's third seat. [3] As well as that, it was announced that Pierson would join series newcomer TDS Racing for that year's endurance rounds of the IMSA SportsCar Championship. [4]

Beginning his sophomore season in the WEC at Sebring, Pierson would inherit the lead from Jarvis and extend their gap during a triple stint. However, their strong race came undone as an onboard camera inside of Pierson's car came loose and hit the ignition switch, pushing it out and causing the #23 United to come to a halt, forcing them to retire in what managing director Richard Dean described as "a one in a million thing". [25] The team bounced back strongly in Portugal, where Pierson, Jarvis and Giedo van der Garde fought to take victory, overcoming a radio issue for Jarvis during their penultimate pitstop that had dropped them to second. [26] Another podium followed at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, where teammate Tom Blomqvist narrowly missed out on the win to Louis Delétraz in the #41 WRT. [27] The Centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans did not yield much success, as Blomqvist experienced a crash following a loss of brakes, leading to an eighth-placed finish, meanwhile Pierson and the team would miss out on a podium again during the Monza round, as a last-lap pass from Deléteaz on Jarvis relegated the #23 to fourth by the flag. [28] [29] [30] Fuji ended up burying any remaining title ambitions for the American, who finished fourth alongside Jarvis and Ben Hanley; Pierson had shown impressive pace, though he was also involved in a collision with Rui Andrade for which he was given a 10-second penalty which set the team back, before Hanley lost further time when he was hit by João Paulo de Oliveira's Vanwall. [31] [32] After taking eighth place in Bahrain, Pierson and Jarvis finished fifth in the drivers' standings.

IndyCar ladder

Indy NXT

2023 season

Alongside his endurance racing commitments, Pierson rejoined the Road to Indy ladder to contest the 2023 Indy NXT campaign with HMD Motorsports. [33] Having missed five races, the driver from Oregon ended up 15th in the standings, scoring a best finish of sixth at Iowa.

2024 season

Pierson remained in Indy NXT for 2024, still driving for HMD Motorsports. [34] During the season opener at St. Pete, Pierson collided with Jamie Chadwick and was penalised for avoidable contact, eventually ending up 13th. [35]

IndyCar Series

Pierson joined Ed Carpenter Racing's new racing programme for 2023, becoming a development driver for the 2023 IndyCar Series. [36]

Racing record

Career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamRacesWinsPolesF/LapsPodiumsPointsPosition
2020 F1600 Championship Series lovation, TransUnion600027222nd
U.S. F2000 National Championship Exclusive Autosport1600005720th
2021 U.S. F2000 National Championship Pabst Racing 1800052914th
2022 Asian Le Mans Series - LMP2 United Autosports 220020NC†
FIA World Endurance Championship - LMP2 610021133rd
24 Hours of Le Mans - LMP2 10000N/A6th
IMSA SportsCar Championship - LMP2 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports 7000118096th
2023 Indy NXT HMD Motorsports 9000017315th
FIA World Endurance Championship - LMP2 United Autosports 71002925th
24 Hours of Le Mans - LMP2 10000N/A8th
IMSA SportsCar Championship - LMP2 TDS Racing 4000189214th
2024 Indy NXT HMD Motorsports 1000017*13th*

* Season still in progress.

† As Pierson was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points.

American open-wheel racing results

F1600 Championship Series

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeam123456789101112131415161718RankPoints
2020Iovation, TransUnion PIT
17		 PIT
6		 PIT
4		 MOH
MOH
MOH
VIR
VIR
VIR
SPMP
SPMP
SPMP
PIT
3		 PIT
2		 PIT
Ret		 ATL
ATL
ATL
22nd72

U.S. F2000 National Championship

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeam123456789101112131415161718RankPoints
2020 Exclusive Autosport ROA
13		 ROA
19		 MOH
15		 MOH
16		 MOH
17		 LOR
19		 IMS
17		 IMS
18		 IMS
12		 MOH
17		 MOH
16		 MOH
18		 NJMP
13		 NJMP
10		 NJMP
10		 STP
15		 STP
DNS		20th57
2021 Pabst Racing ALA
3		 ALA
3		 STP
7		 STP
10		 IMS
4		 IMS
2		 IMS
2		 LOR
8		 ROA
9		 ROA
3		 MOH
8		 MOH
12		 MOH
11		 NJMP
6		 NJMP
11		 NJMP
5		 MOH
11		 MOH
6		4th291

Indy NXT

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) (Races with L indicate a race lap led) (Races with * indicate most race laps led)

YearTeam1234567891011121314RankPoints
2023 HMD Motorsports STP
16		 BAR
IMS
17		 DET
DET
RDA
11		 MDO
9		 IOW
6		 NSH
10		 IMS
8		 GMP
10		 POR
17		 LAG
LAG
15th173
2024 STP
13		 BAR IMS IMS DET RDA LAG LAG MDO IOW GMP POR MIL NSH 13th*17*

* Season still in progress.

Complete WeatherTech SportsCar Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeamClassMakeEngine1234567Pos.Points
2022 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports LMP2 Oreca 07 Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 DAY
8		 SEB
4		 LGA
4		 MDO
6		 WGL
6		 ELK
5		 PET
3		6th1809
2023 TDS Racing LMP2 Oreca 07 Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 DAY
4		 SEB
8		 MON
WGL
4		 ELK
IMS PET
2		14th892


Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantClassChassisEngine1234567RankPoints
2022 United Autosports USA LMP2 Oreca 07 Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 SEB
1		 SPA
6		 LMS
6		 MNZ
5		 FUJ
5		 BHR
2		3rd113
2023 United Autosports LMP2 Oreca 07 Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 SEB
Ret		 PRT
1		 SPA
2		 LMS
6		 MNZ
4		 FUJ
4		 BHR
8		5th92

*Season still in progress.

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

YearTeamCo-DriversCarClassLapsPos.Class
Pos.
2022 Flag of the United States.svg United Autosports USA Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Lynn
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Oliver Jarvis 		Oreca 07-Gibson LMP236810th6th
2023 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Autosports Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Blomqvist
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Oliver Jarvis 		Oreca 07-Gibson LMP232318th8th

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References

  1. ↑ "Entry List 2023" (PDF). 24 Hours of Le Mans (in French). Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Josh Pierson". www.usf2000.com. Archived from the original on 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  3. 1 2 Autosports, United. "UNITED AUTOSPORTS SECURE JOSH PIERSON FOR 2023 WEC SEASON". United Autosports. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  4. 1 2 Lloyd, Daniel (29 November 2022). "Van der Garde, Pierson Join Heriau in TDS Racing Entry – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  5. ↑ Racing, Pabst (2020-12-29). "PABST RACING SIGNS JOSH PIERSON FOR THE 2021 COOPER TIRES USF2000 CHAMPIONSHIP". Pabst Racing. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  6. ↑ "Josh Pierson Just Got His Driver's License. Next Up: Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans". GQ. 2022-06-10. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  7. ↑ "About Josh Pierson". Josh Pierson Racing. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  8. ↑ "Exclusive Autosport's Duncalfe Aims to Climb Ladder as Team Owner". IndyCar.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  9. ↑ "Road to Indy News and Notes". www.usf2000.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  10. ↑ "Sundaramoorthy, Campbell Earn Maiden Wins at Barber". www.usf2000.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  11. ↑ "Sundaramoorthy Near Perfect in Indianapolis Double". www.usf2000.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  12. ↑ "Green Survives Chaotic Finale to Claim First Win". www.usf2000.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  13. ↑ "American Teen Josh Pierson Set To Become Youngest Ever LM 24 Starter In 2022". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  14. ↑ "Abu Dhabi Race 1: United Autosports Take The Win, Nielsen Racing Take The Championship". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  15. ↑ Dagys, John (18 March 2022). "American Teen Pierson Becomes Youngest-Ever WEC Winner – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
  16. ↑ "Alpine Wins Heavily-Interrupted 1000M Sebring". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  17. ↑ "At The Flag: Toyota Gazoo Racing Wins Their Fifth 24 Hours of Le Mans". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  18. ↑ "FIA WEC Bahrain Preview Part 2 LMP2: JOTA En Route To First WEC Title?". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  19. ↑ "Toyota Takes 1-2 in Bahrain; Claims Championship". Pitlane News. 2022-11-13. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  20. ↑ Dagys, John (2022-11-13). "Bahrain Post-Race Notebook – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  21. ↑ "Champions Crowned In Post Season FIA WEC Gala". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  22. ↑ Dagys, John (2021-12-23). "Bomarito Confirmed in Second PR1/Mathiasen Entry – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  23. ↑ Dagys, John (20 April 2022). "32 Entries for Laguna Seca – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  24. ↑ Euwema, Davey (2022-10-01). "MSR Captures DPi Title with Drama-Filled PLM Victory – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  25. ↑ Euwema, Davey (2023-03-17). "Dean: "One in a Million" Incident Cost United LMP2 Victory – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  26. ↑ "#8 Toyota Wins 6H Portimao, Five Factories In The Top Five". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  27. ↑ Lloyd, Daniel (2023-05-01). "WRT Got "Back in the Game" at Final Safety Car Period – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  28. ↑ Euwema, Davey (2023-06-11). "Inter Europol Takes Breakthrough LMP2 Victory at Le Mans – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  29. ↑ Lloyd, Daniel (2023-07-10). "Monza Post-Race Notebook – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  30. ↑ "#7 Toyota Beats #50 Ferrari To 6H Monza Win". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  31. ↑ Dagys, John (2023-09-10). "Kubica: Fuji Win Puts WRT in "Good Shape" for LMP2 Title – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  32. ↑ Autosports, United. "WEC Fuji: Pole position, podium celebrations and championship points". United Autosports. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  33. ↑ Wood, Ida (18 October 2022). "WEC racer Josh Pierson to add Indy Lights campaign in 2023". Formula Scout. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  34. ↑ Wood, Ida (25 October 2023). "ECR junior Josh Pierson scales up Indy Nxt commitments for 2024". Formula Scout. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  35. ↑ "Siegel dominates St. Petersburg Indy NXT opener". RACER. 2024-03-10. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  36. ↑ Malsher-Lopez, David (16 November 2022). "Pierson becomes ECR development driver, targets IndyCar in 2025". Motorsport.com . Retrieved 16 November 2022.
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