By John Sturbin | Raceday San Antonio
Josh Pierson’s rookie INDYCAR season in 2027 with A.J. Foyt Racing will be backed by an innovative networking platform linking people and organizations across motorsports, defense and technology.
Pierson’s No. 4 Chevrolet will feature the logos of Project Accelerator, GM Defense and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society as founding partners for Project Accelerator.
The NTT IndyCar Series’ second annual Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, Texas, street race on March 21, 2027 is planned as the program’s first “hub activation” via a networking event adjacent to the circuit at the National Medal of Honor Museum. Located at 1861 AT&T Way in the popular Arlington Entertainment District, the museum is situated near the temporary circuit showcasing AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium.
Foyt Racing Team President Larry Foyt’s prioritized offseason pursuit of Pierson was rewarded last month with confirmation the 29-year-old native of Portland, Ore., had signed a multi-year agreement to compete in the NTT IndyCar Series beginning in 2027. A graduate of the INDY NXT by Firestone developmental series, Pierson will team with Foyt newcomer and native Norwegian Dennis Hauger, driver of Foyt Racing’s No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet.
Project Accelerator represents another step toward Foyt Racing building its competitive future while honoring the determination that established its place in American motorsports.
Pierson has joined Foyt Racing as it prepares to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Houston native A.J. Foyt Jr.’s historic fourth Indianapolis 500 victory. Open-wheel icon “Super Tex,” now 91, became the first four-time winner of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the event’s 61st running on Sunday, May 29, 1977. Foyt, who started fourth in the traditional 33-car field, led 46 of 200 laps in the No. 14 Gilmore Racing Team Coyote/Foyt.
Foyt retired from INDYCAR racing on May 15, 1993 to concentrate on team ownership. His Waller, Texas-based team has not won a series race since Takuma Sato of Japan prevailed in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach street race in April 2013.
“My dad always said, ‘Determination that just won’t quit _ that’s what it takes,’^” Larry Foyt said in a statement. “I believe that’s more true today than ever. We’re the underdog, but we’re determined to get this team back to the front. We honor what my dad built by continuing to push forward, bringing in talented people and finding new ways to compete. Project Accelerator is part of that effort, but it also gives us an opportunity to do something meaningful for the men and women who serve our country.
“I’m grateful to General Motors and Chevrolet for their commitment to our team and to Roger Penske and Team Penske for the technical relationship that has helped us improve. FOX Sports is introducing INDYCAR to new audiences, and we want to give those fans another reason to follow our sport. Josh and the No. 4 will help launch Project Accelerator, but our vision is to build something that lasts well beyond the racetrack.”
Throughout the 2027 season, Project Accelerator will use networking-focused hospitality and Accelerator Hubs at select INDYCAR races to bring defense technology companies, investors, industry leaders, military and government stakeholders, mission partners and members of the Congressional Medal of Honor community together in person.
“Motorsports and defense both demand disciplined innovation and the ability to perform when conditions are unforgiving,” said Ken Morris, GM Senior Vice President, Global Product Safety, Integration and Motorsports and GM Defense Chief Operating Officer. “Racing’s rapid development cycles and data-driven engineering offer a powerful environment to explore new ideas and forge new relationships between teams like A.J. Foyt Racing, cutting-edge defense companies and people who serve our nation, including some of our greatest heroes.
“While Project Accelerator is not a technical development or motorsports engineering program per se, we know from our experience building the GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle with 16-time NASCAR champions Hendrick Motorsports that technology developed for racing, a strong mission focus and teamwork can help put better tools in the hands of soldiers faster.
“Project Accelerator connects all these strengths in service of a larger purpose _ advancing the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation’s work to support Recipients, preserve the Medal’s legacy and inspire future generations with its values of courage, sacrifice and service.”
The initiative also presents an opportunity to spotlight career paths in motorsports and defense-focused fields, including work connected to GM Defense and GM Motorsports.
Indeed, Project Accelerator and its associated racing programs are designed to integrate additional defense, aerospace and technology organizations as it grows. The program is focused on companies working in defense and dual-use technology areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, robotics, simulation, advanced materials, mobility and propulsion. Project Accelerator will provide opportunities to convene, collaborate and advance defense innovation; participation does not imply that a technology is being evaluated or validated through race competition.
Project Accelerator will connect Medal of Honor Recipients with leaders from motorsports, defense and industry, introducing new audiences to the values represented by the Medal of Honor and the Society’s work to support Recipients and preserve their legacy.
“The Medal of Honor represents more than a single act of courage. It carries a lasting responsibility to live by the values of sacrifice, commitment and service to something greater than ourselves,” said Earl Plumlee, Medal of Honor Recipient and Vice President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. “That same spirit of service is what makes this partnership with A.J. Foyt Racing and GM Defense so meaningful. We are proud to support this initiative and grateful to see Josh Pierson carry the Society’s logo onto the track, sharing the Medal’s legacy with a new generation.”
For Pierson, recent encounters with Medal of Honor Recipients and Homes For Our Troops participants brought the initiative’s mission into focus.
“Hearing Medal of Honor Recipients share their stories at GM Defense’s Valor & Velocity gala was something I’ll never forget,” said Pierson, who led more laps than any driver during the 2026 INDY NXT developmental series season. “The next day, I attended a Homes For Our Troops home dedication and saw first-hand the difference the organization makes for veterans and their families. Both experiences had a tremendous impact on me. I’m grateful for GM Defense’s support and honored to represent the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. I’ll do whatever I can to bring positive attention to both the Society and Homes For Our Troops.”
Pierson started on the front row in each of the final three 2026 INDY NXT races, including two pole positions. At The Milwaukee Mile, Pierson set a qualifying record previously held by new teammate Hauger. The following weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., Pierson again qualified on-pole and led every lap en route to victory.
As noted, Project Accelerator is being developed as a long-term initiative, with opportunities for additional organizations to participate as the program evolves.
GM Defense, a subsidiary of General Motors, develops integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, autonomy and connectivity solutions for defense, security and government customers, drawing upon General Motors’ engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
Established in 1958, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society is the only congressionally chartered organization comprised of living Medal of Honor Recipients and dedicated to protecting and promoting the Medal’s legacy. The Society supports Recipients and their families, preserves their stories and inspires future generations through their extraordinary examples of courage, sacrifice and service.
“I’ve been watching Josh closely for the past several seasons,” Larry Foyt said on Oct. 27 while introducing Pierson as the team’s newest driver. “Few drivers at his age have his depth of experience, and his maturity and work ethic are remarkable. 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’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 to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance classic. As an FIA gold-rated driver, Pierson’s résumé includes race wins and podium finishes in the World Endurance Championship, Asian Le Mans Series, IMSA and INDY NXT.
“Racing in INDYCAR has been my dream for as long as I can remember,” said Pierson, who finished 11th in the final 2026 INDY NXT standings with Andretti Global. “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.”
Pierson replaces 2026 series rookie Caio Collet in the No. 4 Chevy. A 24-year-old native of Brazil, Collet finished 24th in the final standings with primary sponsorship from Combitrans Amazonia _a Brazilian logistics and intermodal transportation corporation specializing in cargo movement across the Amazon Basin and nationwide.
“Being a part of A.J. Foyt Racing, a team with incredible history, means the world to me,” Pierson said. “I’m excited about what Larry and the entire team are building for the future. I’m grateful for their confidence in me and look forward to my first NTT IndyCar Series green flag at St. Pete.” The 2027 season will open on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., on Sunday, March 7.
Hauger, the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year, was introduced as the new face of Foyt Racing on Sept. 18 after signing a multi-year agreement to drive the No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet beginning with the 2027 season.
Hauger finished 22nd in the final 2026 point standings driving Dale Coyne Racing’s No. 19 Honda. A 23-year-old native of Norway, Hauger replaces Santino Ferrucci in Foyt’s signature No. 14 Chevrolet. The 28-year-old Dallas resident placed 17th in the final driver standings during his fourth full-time season (2023-2026) with Foyt’s organization. Ferrucci’s best finish with the team was second on the Streets of Detroit in 2025; his best overall point-finish was ninth in 2024.
Hauger’s best finish during the 2026 INDYCAR season was eighth on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road-Course on May 9. He advanced 16 positions on the 2.439-mile/14-turn layout to win the Jostens Biggest Mover Award.
“Larry and I have had some very good conversations about the team and where they want to go,” Hauger said during his introductory presser on Sept. 18. “I’ve learned a lot in my first two years racing in America, but I still feel like there is a lot more for me to learn and accomplish in INDYCAR.
“This team has so much history in this sport, but what intrigues me even more was hearing about the future and what they’re building now. I want to work hard with everyone there and see how far we can take it.”
Hiring Hauger was an integral part of Larry Foyt’s plan for the future of the team his father founded in 1965. “We’ve spent a lot of time talking about where we want this team to go,” said Foyt, a graduate of TCU in Fort Worth. “We’re investing in our people, our technical side and our commercial program because we want to continue moving forward. Dennis is a big part of that plan.
“We’re fortunate to have partners like Hendricks Holding Company and Homes For Our Troops who believe in what we’re doing with the No. 14 program. They’ve given us the opportunity to keep building, and now it’s our job to make the most of it.”
Final 2026 NTT IndyCar Series Point Standings _ 1, Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing, 631; 2, Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global, 545; 3, Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren, 535; 4, Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren, 522; 5, David Malukas, Team Penske, 514; 6, Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske, 482; 7, Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global, 429; 8, Josef Newgarden, Team Penske, 423; 9, Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing; 412; 10, Rinus VeeKay, Juncos Hollinger Racing, 378;
11, Will Power, Andretti Global, 368; 12, Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing, 331; 13, Kyffin Simpson, Chip Ganassi Racing, 327; 14, Marcus Armstrong, Meyer Shank Racing, 320; 15, Alexander Rossi, Ed Carpenter Racing, 307; 16, Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 302; 17, Santino Ferrucci, A.J. Foyt Racing, 368; 18, Louis Foster, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 267; 19, Romain Grosjean, Dale Coyne Racing, 259; 20, Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren, 259;
21, Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing, 245; 22, Dennis Hauger, Dale Coyne Racing, 228; 23, Mick Schumacher, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 213; 24, Caio Collet, A.J. Foyt Racing, 203; 25, Sting Ray Robb, Juncos Hollinger Racing, 182; 26, Derek Daly, Dryer & Reinbold Racing, 24; 27, Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 20; 28, Jack Harvey, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, 8; 29, Jacob Abel, Abel Motorsports, 6; 30, Helio Castroneves, Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian, 5;
31, Ed Carpenter, Ed Carpenter Racing, 5; 32, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Arrow McLaren, 5; 33, Katherine Legge, HMD Motorsports with A.J. Foyt Racing, 5.
Final 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone Point Standings _ 1, Nikita Johnson, Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR, 585; 2, Enzo Fittipaldi, HMD Motorsports, 556; 3, Tymek Kucharczyk, HMD Motorsports, 551; 4, Max Taylor, Andretti Global, 470; 5, Lochie Hughes, Andretti Global, 453; 6, Alessandro de Tullio, A.J. Foyt Racing, 442; 7, J.M. Correa, Cusick Morgan Motorsports, 389; 8, Myles Rowe, ABEL Motorsports, 388; 9, Jack Beeton, HMD Motorsports, 382; 10, Max Garcia, ABEL Motorsports, 381;
11, Josh Pierson, Andretti Global, 364; 12, Matteo Nannini, Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR, 362; 13, Seb Murray, Andretti Global, 306; 14, Bryce Aron, Chip Ganassi Racing, 298; 15, Niels Koolen, Chip Ganassi Racing, 268; 16, Salvador de Alba, HMD Motorsports, 245; 17, Nicolas Stati, Cusick Morgan Motorsports, 227; 18, Colin Kaminsky, ABEL Motorsports, 222; 19, Jordan Missig, ABEL Motorsports, 216; 20, James Roe, Chip Ganassi Racing, 214;
21, Alexander Koreiba, Juncos Hollinger Racing, 207; 22, Carson Etter, Chip Ganassi Racing, 182; 23, Nicholas Monteiro, A.J. Foyt Racing, 179; 24, Ricardo Escotto, Juncos Hollinger Racing, 142; 25, Jacob Abel, ABEL Motorsports, 101; 26, Nolan Allaer, Juncos Hollinger Racing, 67; 27, Bart Harrison, HMD Motorsports, 51; 28, Yuven Sundaramoorthy, Cusick Morgan Motorsports, 9.
2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES FULL SCHEDULE
Sunday, March 7 _ Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Saturday, March 13 _ Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Ariz.
Sunday, March 21 _ Streets of Arlington, Texas
Sunday, April 4 _ Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala.
Sunday, April 18 _ Streets of Long Beach, Calif.
Saturday, May 15 _ Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road-Course
Sunday, May 30 _ The 111th Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Oval
Sunday, June 6 _ Streets of Downtown Detroit
Sunday, June 13 _ World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, Ill.
Sunday, June 27 _ Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis.
Sunday, July 4 _ Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio
Sunday, July 18 _ Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain
Sunday, Aug. 1 _ Portland (Ore.) International Raceway
Sunday, Aug. 15 _ Streets of Markham, Canada
Saturday, Aug. 28 _ The Milwaukee Mile Race 1, West Allis, Wis.
Sunday, Aug. 29 _ The Milwaukee Mile Race 2, West Allis, Wis.
Sunday, Sept. 5 _ WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif.
Note _ All races televised live on FOX Sports; start times TBA
