Acknowledgements

Thank You

THE DRIVER  |  THE TEEN   |  TIMELINE   |  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Coaches

Stephen Simpson

Stephen is a South African-American professional racing driver currently competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and previously in the A1 Grand Prix, Champ Car Atlantic Championship and the Indy Pro Series, among others.

Stephen’s professional motor racing career has taken him all over the world. After winning the South African Formula Ford Championship at the age of 16 years old, he then packed his bags and moved to the UK to further his career. In the years to come, Stephen would live in Italy for a year and race all over Europe. His first professional job as a race car driver came when he was selected to race for South Africa in A1 Grand Prix, the World Cup of Motorsport. This took him all over the world competing professionally.

Stephen’s career is exciting, interesting and does not follow your typical career path. Fueled by the passion Stephen has for Motorsport and the determination to achieve his goals and aspirations, the story of his journey is inspirational and motivating. Stephen shares his story during speaking engagements throughout the year.

“Josh is a talented young driver with a big future ahead of him. His love of motorsports, determination and coachability are strengths that set him apart from his competition.”

Stephen Simpson

Professional sports car driver and driver coach

Bob Perona

Andretti Autosport, Pabst Racing, MSR IndyCar

Bob Perona is one of the premier professional race driving coaches in North America. He has worked with drivers at the top of the sport in Indycar, NASCAR, ARCA, Indy Lights, USF2000, Pro Mazda, Atlantics, and Sports Cars. If you are a professional racing driver seeking to maximize your potential, Bob Perona can take you there.

“I have been involved in the racing industry in some fashion for 22 years. Half of that time I spent as a driver, and half of it as a driver coach. I have driven almost every kind of race car out there, and while there are plenty of guys faster than me, I feel I have a unique perspective when it comes to driver coaching, and my techniques have won a lot of races.

I started my coaching career working with my driving coach, Ross Bentley, at Speed-Secrets. As I developed under him I came to understand that I needed to focus my energy toward my own program and my own philosophy on race driving, so Bob Perona Coaching Services was born. I have been privileged to work with some of the finest professional race car drivers in the business, and I learn as much from them as they do from me.

I hold a degree in Sports Psychology from Metro State College in Denver Colorado, and I spend much of my time working to understand performance on every level. My degree is well utilized in my work as a driver coach as the mental aspect of driving at the limit cannot be overstated.

I still get behind the wheel as often as possible, which I feel helps me stay relevant and up to date. And of course, I always want to win.”

“I have known many professional drivers from a young age and Josh Pierson stands among them as one with a great future ahead of him. He is a driven competitor, a studied professional, a talented athlete, and a wonderfully charismatic young man. Do not look past Josh, he has all of the tools to succeed in this sport and he seems focused on doing just that.”

Bob Perona

Driver coach, Andretti Autosport, Pabst Racing, MSR IndyCar

Teams

Pabst Racing

Preparing for the 2021 Road to Indy Series, Josh tested with half the teams on the grid and had an opportunity to drive for every one of them. In the end Josh signed with his first choice, Pabst Racing. He is thrilled to be supported by team owner Augie Pabst, engineer Burke Harrison, mechanic Miles McDaniel, driver coach Bob Perona and everyone on the team. The professionalism and attention to detail of this team is second to none and Josh feels very much at home.

United Autosports

UK-based United Autosports gave Josh his first opportunity to drive a sportscar in Europe where he tested their LMP2 car at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Josh will continue working with United for testing outside the US in preparation for racing sportscars internationally. United has an amazing roster of drivers including Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, Paul Di Resta and Filipe Albuquerque.

PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports

At 14, Josh was fortunate to be given an opportunity to drive an LMP2 car with US-based PR1 Motorsports. He will continue working with PR1 for US-based testing in preparation for racing sportscars when he turns 16 in 2022. PR1 has an impressive list of alumni and active drivers including IndyCar stars J.R. Hildebrand and Charlie Kimball, sports car legends Luiz Diaz, Butch Leitzinger, and Marino Franchitti.

Rolison Performance Group logo.

Rolison Performance Group

Rolison Performance Group (RPG) is one of the very best karting teams in the United States. Owner Mike Rolison (Roli) and his team have supported Josh from the very beginning and together they have won many karting races and championships. You won’t find a more knowledgeable, dedicated, better-prepared or harder-working karting team and their results speak for themselves.

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About Josh

Josh Pierson is an 18-year-old American racecar driver. The youngest in history to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he is currently racing IndyNXT in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with HMD Motorsports.