Written by Cameron Gale, Edited by Sasha Macmillen
Beth Parreta announced on Tuesday that she intends to back her all-female team for three races this season but that they do not intend to compete in next month’s Indy 500.
Swiss driver Simona de Silversto will pilot the number 16 Chevrolet at all three Stops - Road America in Wisconsin(12 June), Mid-Ohio(3 July) and on the tight streets of Nashville(7 August).
Last May, Paretta Autosport worked with series powerhouse Team Penske to get de Silvestro's car into the Indy 500. This year, she's working with Ed Carpenter Racing, who were already intending to run three cars in the series’ marquee race.
Paretta said running three times rather than once as the fourth car on Carpenter's team is a better investment toward her goal of making her team a full-time participant in Indycar
The team's quest to become the first all-female team to qualify for the 500 was one of the most compelling stories last year. Despite struggling to get up to speed, De Silvestro survived an agonising Bump Day to earn the 33rd and final starting spot in the traditional field. She finished 31st.
Thirty-two cars are currently entered for this year's 500 though Mark Miles, the CEO of series’ parent, Penske Entertainment, said he expects to have enough cars to fill the field and possibly a 34th entry.