Meet Josh Pierson, an online student at Wilsonville High School and professional race car driver. Pierson is no stranger to prioritizing; he continues to excel in racing while maintaining an impressive education.

Pierson’s dad had a huge role in influencing him in his dream to become a professional race car driver. His dad had started racing GT2 cars as an amateur and wanted to share the adrenaline with the young Pierson after a family friend suggested getting into karting.

From there, the family friend and his kids taught Pierson the basics of racing. He would soon fall in love with the sport, going to the track every day after school to practice. 

Josh is currently in the IndyNext program, which helps provide a pathway for young racers to Indycar. He is also involved with longer endurance racing and has raced in many famous endurance races, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona, and the 1000 Miles of Sebring. He has done well in all of these races and has continued to show that he has what it takes to get to IndyCar. 

Pierson has also made history with his races as he is the youngest person to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He describes the experience as “life-changing” and is super grateful that he was able to race in it.

“I was really unaware of how long it was going to feel. Focus is key out there, and it gets so hard, especially during the night because you start to get more tired, and there are no overhead lights that shine on the course, it’s just your headlights,” said Pierson. 

Pierson feels extremely lucky and grateful to have been able to race in these events and travel the world while doing so. He has been to many countries and US states and shares that once he retires when he is older, he would love to continue to travel and experience all the different cultures. 

Pierson moved from going to school every day to fully online learning through high school. He enjoys this as it gives him more freedom and more time to still be a kid while he can. He also uses this time to practice.

During COVID, he made the big jump from karts to real cars. He then signed his first contract, and from there, gained experience as a racer and envisions being in IndyCar within the next few years. 

Pierson feels extremely lucky and grateful to have been able to race in these events and travel the world while doing so. He has been to many countries and US states and shares that once he retires when he is older, he would love to continue to travel and experience all the different cultures.

“I really appreciate all the memories that have been created, and I’d like to remind people not to take the little things for granted.” shares Pierson. 

Pierson will continue to grow as a person and racer and make the Wilsonville community proud.