Foyt Signs Pierson to Multi-Year Deal

thepitwindowLeave a comment

From A. J. Foyt Racing:


FROM YOUNGEST EVER AT LE MANS TO INDYCAR ROOKIE:JOSH PIERSON JOINS AJ FOYT RACING IN A MULTI-YEAR DEAL
The 20-year-old American joins Dennis Hauger in the team’s 2027 Chevrolet-powered lineup as AJ Foyt Racing celebrates the 50th anniversary of A.J. Foyt’s historic fourth Indianapolis 500 victory

INDIANAPOLIS (October 27, 2026) – AJ Foyt Racing has signed Josh Pierson to a multi-year agreement to compete in the NTT INDYCAR Series beginning in 2027, bringing a Guinness World Records holder and accomplished young American driver to one of motorsports’ most storied teams.  With Dennis Hauger in the No. 14 representing Homes For Our Troops, Pierson will drive the No. 4 Chevrolet with a new sponsor spotlighting a complementary program.“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.” Pierson at 16 is the youngest driver ever to start the 24 Hours of Le Mans.


Pierson’s career has taken him from local to international karting, through junior formula racing and international sports cars, and back to open-wheel competition in INDY NXT by Firestone. At 16, he became the youngest driver ever to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The FIA gold-rated driver has a resume that includes race wins and podium finishes in the World Endurance Championship, Asian Le Mans Series, IMSA and INDY NXT.
Pierson (middle) with drivers Oliver Jarvis (L) and Alex Lynn finished 2nd in the LMP2 class in the 8 Hours of Bahrain in 2022.
“I’ve been watching Josh closely for the past several seasons. Few drivers at his age have his depth of experience, and his maturity and work ethic are remarkable,” said Larry Foyt, president of AJ Foyt Racing.
“Over the past year, he impressed us in multiple tests in a Panoz DP01 Champ Car alongside current INDYCAR drivers, and again in our Chevy-powered car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. I believe in Josh, and we’re excited to be part of his continued development.”
Pierson led more laps than any other driver in the 2026 INDY NXT season and started on the front row in each of the final three races, including two pole positions. At Milwaukee, he set a new qualifying record previously held by new teammate Dennis Hauger. The following weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Pierson again qualified on pole and led every lap to win.
Pierson stands tall atop his car in Victory Lane at WeatherTech Raceway – Laguna Seca last month.
Pierson joins the team as it prepares to commemorate the 50th anniversary of A.J. Foyt’s historic fourth Indianapolis 500 victory in 2027.
“Being a part of AJ Foyt Racing, a team with incredible history, means the world to me. I’m excited about what Larry and the entire team are building for the future,” said Pierson.
“I’m grateful for their confidence in me and look forward to my first NTT INDYCAR Series green flag at St. Pete.”

About Josh PiersonJosh Pierson is an American racing driver from Wilsonville, Oregon, with experience in INDY NXT, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, IMSA and the Asian Le Mans Series. He has supported the Alzheimer’s Association as an #ENDALZ Athlete since 2022.joshpierson.com | @joshpierson

About AJ Foyt RacingFounded by A.J. Foyt, the first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, AJ Foyt Racing competes in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES under Team President Larry Foyt. The team will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Foyt’s fourth Indianapolis 500 victory in 2027.ajfoytracing.com | @ajfoytracing

Thoughts on the 2027 Schedule

thepitwindowLeave a comment

Alex Palou gets a home game. An oval disappears. July is half empty.

Those three things stick out to me as IndyCar finally released their 17 race schedule for the 2027 season.

On the plus side the Indianapolis 500 returns to its rightful and proper May 30 date, August has a nice pace with a one-week break between events. I think Markham should return to July, the traditional time for the Canadian race.

I don’t mind an international race or two, but to have just one race which eats three weeks of a peak summer month is a disservice to the sport and its fans. The series should have waited to arrange a second European race the week following Barcelona. The Barcelona race organizers and IndyCar signed a 10-year deal. Ten years in racing is an eternity for a commitment. I am interested to see if it lasts that long. Two overseas races should be the limit for a season.

The season again gets off to a great start with three races in March, followed by just two events in April. The schedule shows a large gap between Barber on April 18 and the Indy GP on May 15. That hole is partially filled with an oval test at IMS on May 4 and 5, which gives the month of May two bonus days. May 1 is open and begs to have an oval race slotted there.

The teams once more have five straight weeks of activity starting May 15 and running through Gateway June 13, with Indy 500 qualifying May 22 and 23 thrown in.

After Mid-Ohio July 4, fans in the United States will have to wait until Portland August1 to attend another IndyCar race.

The biggest omission from the schedule is Nashville. The superspeedway produced great racing, and it gave the series six oval events, which I think is the proper number of ovals in a season. The Nashville organizers are determined to return the event to the streets of downtown, which tells me they are more interested in an event rather than a race.

The 2027 IndyCar calendar is not the best schedule I have ever seen. It lacks at least one oval, and fans on the east coast are once again left without a race in their area. International races need to be placed at either the beginning or end of the season to take advantage of the good weather in the United States from April through September.

International races in October would be on television before the dreaded football monster begins play on Sunday mornings. Many IndyCar fans wake up early to watch F1 races. Surely, they would wake up early for IndyCar as well.

The schedule:

INDYCAR Announces Phase Two of 2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Schedule

thepitwindowLeave a comment

From IndyCar. My thoughts up later.

New Marquee Race Weekend in Barcelona Highlights Action-Packed Summer,
Furthers Series Momentum

All NTT INDYCAR SERIES Races Again To Air on FOX

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 23, 2026) – Following the historic announcement of an NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at iconic Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya earlier today, INDYCAR has announced Phase Two of next year’s action-packed and momentous schedule.
The summer lineup includes a mix of fan-friendly and dynamic race weekends leading up to the climactic moment at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca when the 2027 INDYCAR SERIES champion hoists the Astor Challenge Cup.For the third consecutive season, all races will be broadcast on FOX in the United States, with three additional telecasts scheduled during the two days of qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and coverage of Miller Lite Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is once again the only premier motorsports series in North America with all races broadcast on network television.
“The 2027 season will build off a record-shattering and landmark year for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said.
“The sport’s growth has been immense, driving incredible viewership gains, reaching new fans in younger demos and attracting increased commercial interest from emerging and long-term partners. Our relationship with FOX Sports continues to set an industry standard, and this schedule will help us build on all of these gains and take things to the next level.”
After announcing Phase One of the 2027 schedule in August, Phase Two of the 17-race championship picks up Sunday, June 13 at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis. In 2026, the race on the challenging 1.25-mile oval featured 17 lead changes, wheel-to-wheel action throughout the field and an INDYCAR SERIES track-record 268 passes for position.
Two weeks later, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES heads to picturesque Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for the series’ 37th race at historic Road America on Sunday, June 27. Known for its sweeping corners, long straightaways and 4-mile layout, the historic road course remains one of the fastest and most demanding circuits on the schedule.
Racing at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has become a Fourth of July holiday tradition for INDYCAR, and it will continue Sunday, July 4. The technical, 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course, known for its elevation changes and tight corners, will host its 44th INDYCAR SERIES race in 2027, the longest-running road course event on the schedule.
Following the international showcase in Barcelona, the series returns to the Pacific Northwest for its annual stop at Portland International Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 1. The 12-turn road course is known for its challenging opening chicane and history of thrilling finishes. In 2026, four different race teams were represented among the top four finishers.
The series then crosses the border into Canada for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham on Sunday, Aug. 15, on the Streets of Markham. The 2.19-mile temporary street circuit, which debuted in 2026, features 12 turns, a double-sided pit lane and technically challenging sections. The 2026 race featured 258 on-track passes, the most of any street circuit last season.
The 2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship enters its final stretch with a return to the historic Milwaukee Mile for a pivotal doubleheader Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 28-29. The legendary 1-mile oval, which opened in 1903, features relatively flat corners that demand precision and offers drivers two opportunities to earn valuable championship points in one weekend. Last year’s first 250-lap race featured a season-high 696 on-track passes and track records for passes for position, passes in the top 10 and passes in the top five.
The final round of the 2027 season is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 5 at legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. The iconic 2.238-mile road course features 11 turns, dramatic elevation changes and the world-famous Corkscrew turn complex, providing a fitting showcase for the final race of the 17-event championship and the presentation of the Astor Challenge Cup, manufacturer award and Rookie of the Year award. It is the 13th time the legendary circuit on the Central Coast will host the INDYCAR SERIES season finale.
“One of the things that makes INDYCAR so special is that winning a championship requires drivers and teams to be competitive on every type of racetrack,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said.
“From high-speed ovals to tight street circuits and challenging road courses, they face a different test almost every weekend. The 2027 schedule continues that tradition, featuring the 111th Running of the Indianapolis 500, alongside some of the most iconic racetracks in North America, and the historic addition of Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. With 25 full-time entries battling for a championship and every race broadcast on FOX, our fans have an incredible season of racing to look forward to.”
Tune-in times for next season’s events will be announced at a later date. The 2027 schedule for INDY NXT by Firestone, INDYCAR’s developmental series, also will be announced in the coming weeks.

INDYCAR Adds Marquee International Event at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in 2027

thepitwindowLeave a comment

From IndyCar:

North America’s Premier Open-Wheel Racing Series Makes Historic Debutat Home of Five-Time NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion Alex Palou

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 23, 2026) – INDYCAR is expanding its global footprint in historic fashion, announcing a marquee international event at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain as the centerpiece of Phase Two of the 2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule.

The inaugural INDYCAR Grand Prix of Barcelona is scheduled for Sunday, July 18 and will bring North America’s premier open-wheel racing series to Spain for the first time, setting the stage for a spectacular homecoming for Barcelona native and five-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing.

The multiyear agreement with Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya marks the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ first race outside North America since 2013, when James Hinchcliffe won on the streets of São Paulo, Brazil. The event also signals a European return for the INDYCAR SERIES, which last competed on the continent in 2007 at the TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands.

“This is a monumental day for our sport,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said.

“We are pleased to be able to take our ultra-competitive brand of wheel-to-wheel racing to Europe and thrilled that we can showcase INDYCAR in Alex Palou’s hometown. We have seen Alex’s remarkable skill and talent for several years and know his fans in Spain have been clamoring to watch him race in person.

“We cannot wait to see the NTT INDYCAR SERIES compete at one of the world’s most recognizable motorsports venues set against the backdrop of a very historic and breathtaking international destination like Barcelona.”

Palou, a 29-year-old Spaniard, captured his fifth NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship in 2026, becoming just the second driver in series history to win four consecutive titles, joining Sebastien Bourdais (2004-07). With five championships in six years and 25 career victories, Palou is tied for 17th on the series’ all-time wins list. Only A.J. Foyt (seven) and Scott Dixon (six) have won more INDYCAR SERIES championships.

“I’m so excited to be part of INDYCAR’s first race in Barcelona,” Palou said.

“It is an amazing opportunity, and it means so much to me to have a race at home in Barcelona, it’s hard to put into words. I know the fans are going to love it, and I think we are going to put on a great show. We’re going to try hard with the team at Chip Ganassi Racing to bring home the trophy in July.”

Located in Montmeló, just outside Barcelona, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been a fixture on the international motorsports stage since opening in 1991. The renowned road course has hosted some of the world’s most prestigious racing championships, including FIA Formula One and MotoGP, and is recognized for its combination of high-speed corners, technical sections and demanding layout.

The addition of Barcelona marks another significant milestone for INDYCAR as the series continues to introduce its high-speed, ultra-competitive brand of racing to new audiences and build upon its growing momentum.

“The arrival of INDYCAR is a major milestone and an exciting challenge for the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya,” Chairman of the Board of Fira de Barcelona and Fira Circuit Pau Relat said.

“Bringing one of the most prestigious and spectacular championships in global motorsport to our venue strengthens our international positioning, connects us with new audiences and markets, and reinforces our strategy of diversifying the circuit’s activity through world-class events. We are working with a long-term vision to make INDYCAR Grand Prix of Barcelona a benchmark event on the international racing calendar for years to come.”

Phase Two of the 2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule, which will include a listing of all races in next year’s championship, will be announced shortly. Tune-in times for next season’s events will be announced at a later date.

Kucharczyk Tops INDY NXT Regulars at Griffis Test

thepitwindowLeave a comment

From IndyCar:


NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champ Palou Quickest with Helping Hand for CGR

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 16, 2026) – Alex Palou didn’t expect to be the quickest driver in Friday’s Chris Griffis Memorial Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The five-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion had never driven INDY NXT by Firestone machinery before climbing into the No. 11 Chip Ganassi Racing entry on an overcast, chilly day in Central Indiana. He arrived with minimal expectations. His lap time, however, told a different story.

Palou topped the 22-car test, named in memory of Chris Griffis, the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team manager who died suddenly in September 2011. Palou turned a lap of 1 minute, 14.5050 seconds on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course.

SEE: Overall Test Results

“Feels strange, but it feels good,” Palou said. “Feels kind of strange to be a rookie, but I’m a rookie. I’ve never been in this car before, so I’m a rookie in this series. I think a lot of people think that it’s like other sports where you go down and it’s like you’re so much higher level. Here it’s tough. I didn’t expect to be first.”

Tymek Kucharczyk finished second on the day with a lap of 1:14.8209 in the No. 71 HMD Motorsports entry. The Polish driver finished third as a rookie in the standings this past season with two victories. The last time he was on this road course, he won on May 9. The last time he was in this car, he won the Sept. 6 season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Max Taylor was third Friday at 1:14.8453 in the No. 28 Andretti Global entry. Kucharczyk and Taylor were the highest-finishing drivers from the 2026 championship standings to participate in Friday’s test. Taylor finished fourth last season in the same ride.

Max Garcia, who became the second-youngest winner in INDY NXT by Firestone history with his Aug. 30 victory at Milwaukee Mile, finished fourth at 1:14.9443 while testing for HMD Motorsports. The Miami high school senior competed for Abel Motorsports during his rookie season.

Jack Beeton rounded out the top five with a lap of 1:14.9577. He competed for HMD Motorsports this past season but tested the No. 29 Andretti Global entry.

Friday’s test offered an opportunity to experience a different car for Palou and learn from the next generation of open-wheel drivers. The opportunity first arose during the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, when Chip Ganassi Racing asked him to participate. His answer was an easy yes.

“I love driving cars, any kind of car,” Palou said. “Obviously, it’s a bit different to what I’m used to. But you learn so much. These kids are really, really fast in these cars, but any track day is good. Obviously, I wouldn’t do a race, but test day, 100 percent.”

One of Palou’s key points of reference was teammate Alessandro de Tullio, whose progress he had followed throughout the 2026 season. De Tullio recorded two wins and eight poles during his rookie season with AJ Foyt Racing. Friday marked his first day testing with Chip Ganassi Racing, and he finished sixth quickest with a lap of 1:15.0009.

“I think we have an incredible reference in our team with de Tullio,” Palou said. “He’s been so fast all year, and I’ve been following him a lot.”

The 22 cars combined to complete 1,573 laps during the test.

The 2027 INDY NXT by Firestone season begins the first weekend of March on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.
 
 

Chris Griffis Memorial Test Update- Palou to Drive

thepitwindowLeave a comment

Friday’s Chris Griffis Memorial Test for the IndyNXT by Firestone became a lot more interesting today when Chip Ganassi Racing announced that five-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou will test the number 11 car (pictured above). Palou has had a very busy off season, testing the IR-28 car at Ims and Sebring, and also driving, although briefly, in Petit Le Mans.

The test is expected to feature 22 drivers and run from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm Eastern time on the IMS road course. Turn 2 spectator mounds will be open. A full entry list will be out stomorrow.

News and Notes

That Didn’t Take Long– A story yesterday said that Ford was evaluating a possible return to IndyCar. I did not put much stock in it, and today Ford stated that they were not moving forward with a 2.4 liter engine which IndyCar uses. It was a fun few minutes thinking about a Ford-Chevy rivalry in American open wheel.

Josh Pierson Cleared to Move Up Josh Pierson passed his evaluation test on the IMS road course on Tuesday, clearing the way for him sign with A.J Foyt Racing’s IndyCar team. Pierson won an IndyNXT race in 2025, which was short of the licensing requirement for IndyCar.

Chevy Renewals- Chevrolet announced extended multiyear agreements with ECR, Arrow McLaren, and Team Penske. While nearly everyone thought these agreements were foregone conclusions, the announcement makes the contracts official. I’m waiting for Honda to do the same thing. If nothing else, it’s good PR.

From last night:

Rossi Hustles IR-28 Through More Development at Sebring 

Rossi Hustles IR-28 Through More Development at Sebring 

thepitwindow

From IndyCar:

 SEBRING, Fla. (Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026) – The development of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ next-generation IR-28 car moved this week to the bumps and bruises of Sebring International Raceway from earlier testing on the silky-smooth surface of Indianapolis Motor Speedway

.Alexander Rossi, who drives full time for Chevrolet-powered ECR, took over testing duties Tuesday at the historic Florida circuit. The 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner continued the evaluation of the car that will debut at the start of the 2028 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

The Sebring test marks the first opportunity to evaluate the IR-28 away from Indianapolis, following initial sessions on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course and 2.5-mile oval in August and September. Five-time and reigning series champion Alex Palou completed 43 laps Monday on Sebring’s outer loop, putting the new car through its paces on a circuit renowned for its punishing surface and demanding mix of asphalt and concrete.

Rossi completed 134 laps Tuesday.Palou, a Honda-powered driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, and Rossi also were chosen to handle testing duties at both IMS configurations.The two-day Sebring test session represents another important step in the series’ extensive development program, with the IR-28 facing the kind of conditions designed to expose weaknesses long before the car reaches competition.

“It’s a new car for me at Sebring,” Rossi said.

“Coming back here and being part of the next generation of INDYCAR’s future is a huge honor. It’s an exciting time in this sport. This car, in so many ways, is a pretty big upgrade from what we have.”

Sebring is a regular testing destination for INDYCAR SERIES teams, in large part because of its unforgiving character. Its bumps, uneven surfaces and relentless demands on vehicle components make it an ideal proving ground for a car expected to compete on road courses, ovals and temporary street circuits. With street circuits accounting for one-third of the 2026 schedule, durability and driver confidence over challenging surfaces remain important considerations in the IR-28’s development.

“What’s good about this place is it’s the poorest-quality surface that you can have in a permanent road course,” Rossi said.

“It mimics a street course kind of. Because it’s a permanent road course, it gets used a lot, so it’s a higher grip level than a street course. In terms of bumps, pavement changes, difficult changes in the asphalt, that’s why everyone comes and tests here. It’s somewhat of a preview that you’re going to get in street courses.”

Rossi’s test plan Tuesday focused on evaluating the car’s fundamental systems and performance, building on work completed during earlier sessions at Indianapolis. He worked alongside Dallara and INDYCAR officials.The testing emphasis has evolved as development has progressed. Initial tests focused on confirming that the car’s systems functioned as expected. At Sebring, the priority was understanding how the package performs over an extended test and identifying issues that might emerge through more extensive running, especially on rough, bumpy surfaces

.“I don’t know that anyone is looking for anything (particular),” Rossi said. “The messaging we get is run the car as if it’s your race car. From there, we’ll see what issues, problems, surprises come out of that. I think all the test list items were really accomplished in the first two tests. Just making sure things worked as you would expect

.“This test is more of a practical application of: ‘Does it perform over a two-day test as the current car does? Does it do what it is expected to and kind of what little things could come out of that we need to address before the series produces a bunch of these?’”

Driver feedback remains central to that process, particularly when it comes to comfort and cockpit cooling. The IR-28 incorporates a more integrated cooling approach, with strategically positioned ducts designed into the initial bodywork rather than added to the existing carbon-fiber structure. Palou reported a significant improvement in cooling during Monday’s running, highlighting progress since the initial Indianapolis tests.

Rossi also experienced the benefits of those improvements at Sebring.

“First of all, visually, it’s an incredible race car to look at,” Rossi said. “It generates more grip in high-speed corners. It’s a very nice car to drive. It’s well-built and incredibly well-engineered. Cooling-wise, we made a pretty big step in this test, in particular. It’s night-and-day different in terms of comfort and drivability in the cockpit.”

Although the car’s competition debut remains more than a year away, the development schedule allows time to address concerns and validate improvements across different types of circuits before the 2028 season begins. Every lap adds another piece to that process, helping ensure the IR-28 can withstand the demands of a race weekend while delivering the performance drivers and fans expect.

“There are more things that are scheduled to come as time comes that will allow this car to race and perform even better, that will only put on a better show for the fans, which is the No. 1 priority for all of us,” Rossi said. 

INDY NXT by Firestone Drivers Featured at Chris Griffis Memorial Test Friday at IMS 

thepitwindow

From IMS:

 The Chris Griffis Memorial Test is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 16 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.Testing and driver evaluations by INDY NXT by Firestone teams will take place from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ET on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile circuit.

The annual test is named in memory of Chris Griffis, the team manager of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports who passed away suddenly in September 2011.The DEX Imaging Media Center will be open to media during the test.

Live timing of the test will be available at www.indycar.com/leaderboard.

WHAT: Chris Griffis Memorial Test
WHO: INDY NXT by Firestone Teams and Drivers
.WHEN: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ET Friday, Oct. 16
WHERE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course

From last night:

Shake It Up: Palou Puts IR-28 Through Pounding Paces at Sebring