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SPEEDWAY, Ind. — A female-led IndyCar team will be fielding a car in the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Beth Paretta, a veteran of auto racing at various levels and in different racing series, is creating Paretta Autosport with the goal of promoting gender equality in the realm of auto racing. She hopes to inspire young girls around the world.

“Maybe some of those girls watching at home will become fans that might not have ever thought this is something possible for them,” Paretta said. “In the past several years there has been some progress in programs to get more female racing drivers on the grid.”

Her contribution to that effort will be in the No. 16 Paretta Autosport entry with former IndyCar driver and current sportscar driver Simona De Silvestro. She will be making her return to the IndyCar ranks for the first time since 2015.

“I’ve worked for my entire life to get a proper shot at this race (Indy 500),” De Silvestro said. “I think it’s super exciting that it’s finally happening.”

Paretta credited NTT IndyCar Series owner Roger Penske for his efforts to help minority teams, such as the African-American lead Force Indy team in Indy Lights.

“When we sat down (with Roger Penske) I said that I’d like to bring it back full circle and promote gender equality,” Paretta said. “It should also be said that the IndyCar paddock has the most women working in all levels. On teams, in the series itself, and at the track, and that should be celebrated.”

Paretta’s new team will have a technical partnership with Team Penske for the Indianapolis 500.

“With Team Penske, we’ll start with the Indy 500, with plans to grow from there,” she added.

Paretta is no stranger to the Indianapolis 500. She actually tried to form the Grace Autosport IndyCar team for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 back in 2016 to be piloted by Katherine Legge, but she said that car they assembled was nowhere near competitive enough to be a viable entry in the race.

She also had a leading role working for Team Penske in the NASCAR ranks during the team’s NASCAR Cup Championship run in 2012. She has also led racing teams in the IMSA GTLM championship and the Trans-Am championship.

Paretta is confident that with the team she has assembled and with the help of Team Penske that Paretta Autosport will be able to put a competitive car in the field of 33 this year.

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