While a first-place trophy was not in the cards for Oak Park Go-Kart racer Pierce Joy, the Lincoln Elementary fourth grader nevertheless wants to stay in the fast lane.
Earlier this month, Pierce Joy went head-to-head with other top racers from across the country as they competed in the inaugural 2024 Junior U.S. Championship for K1 Speed Go-Kart Racing, a go-kart franchise.
Pierce, who had been looking forward to the big race since he qualified to represent Illinois in January, finished 35 out of 40.
The race was held in Ontario, California, April 14. According to K1, the race welcomed 40 “of the fastest junior racers in the country” who came out to participate. The drivers came from 18 states and 23 K1 Speed centers.
To qualify for the big race, drivers had to place in the Top 3 of their state championship.
During the 2023 Junior League season, Pierce finished in first place with a total of 111 points for the year.
Pierce began racing this season for the 2024 Junior League at K1 in Addison, Illinois, in January. He is in third place with 41 points, only 12 behind the first-place racer.
At the championship, racers were divided into four randomized groups to run their qualifying races, where the kids raced to get a fast lap as it determined the racing order, said Kerri Joy, Pierce’s mother.
While he didn’t snag a win, he did drive fast laps, according to his mother.
“So, his qualifying laps were not as fast as his final race lap, but if you look at the whole day for all the kids, his final lap kind of showed that he was able to post the second fastest lap of the day,” she said.
“I think there was a lot of nerves and a lot of excitement because this is kind of unknown territory to us, the world on what you would call competitive racing at this age and at this level,” she added. “I think we learned a lot.”
Being around other serious racers has given Pierce the confidence and motivation to move onto gas karts, which he said he hopes he can try soon said his father, Branden Joy.
For now, the Joy family said, they are trying to move in a way that keeps Pierce’s best interest in mind.
Under the guidance of his parents, Pierce has set up an Instagram account, @theracerp, where he shares his racing journey.
“We have had so much really positive support from the community and family and friends,” Joy said. “We keep saying, and people keep telling us, that they really feel like this is the starting point. This is the beginning. That is what we are really feeling which is why there is the pressure that we feel to determine what is the right next step.”
Pierce said he was a little disappointed in his finish, but he added that the overall experience was fun and taught him that he wants to be fully immersed in the racing world.
“Next — I definitely want to keep racing,” Pierce said.
But racing is a big commitment, and Pierce’s parents are not taking it lightly.
“It’s a time commitment, it’s a family commitment, it’s a financial commitment,” his mother said. “But I think Pierce has some natural talent, which we have heard from a lot of people, and we are just trying to figure out how to potentially make the next step happen. We want to make sure he’s prepared for it and that is safe for him.”