Paretta Autosport will return to the NTT Indycar Series this season, but not the Indianapolis 500. The team will again have Simons De Silvestro driving car 16 sponsored by KiwiCo in a technical alliance with Ed Carpenter Racing. Their season begins at Road America, then goes to Mid Ohio and Nashville. Team Owner Beth Paretta hinted that more races are possible.

Paretta Austosport began last year under the guidance of Team Penske mas part of Indycar’s Race for Equality and Change, a program to encourage more participation in the sport by women and minorities. Last year De Silvestro started 33rd and finished 31st in the Indianapolis 500.

Most of the women who were a part of the Indianapolis effort last year will return for the three race schedule.

Paretta said that in planning for 2022, she originally wanted to do the 500 plus some other races, but that bypassing the 500 made more economic sense. She had discussed a partnership with ECR last year. GM suggested that Carpenter made the most sense for her team.

Simona de Silvestro drove in the Indycar series from 2010-2013 with HVM Racing and KV Racing. She also ran three races with Andretti Autosport in 2015.

Road America will be the first time since 2013 that more than one woman will compete in an Indycar race. Tatiana Calderon drives for A. J. Foyt Racing.

About KiwiCo

From the team’s website, a little about their new sponsor. I can see some great activation here for kids.

“KiwiCo, as the official STEAM-based (science, technology, engineering, art, math) learning company that develops engaging hands-on projects and activities to spark children’s curiosity and creativity. The company’s on a mission to inspire the next generation of innovators with the skills and confidence to become creative problem solvers and critical thinkers – traits necessary for motorsport careers. KiwiCo and Paretta Autosport will collaborate throughout their partnership to highlight STEAM learning and connect on-track activities to off-track learning.”

Miles ‘Guarantees’ a 33rd Entry

Many people expected Paretta to be the 33rd entry for the Indianapolis 500, but Mark Miles reassured everyone that the entry is coming. Miles said at the press conference that he guarantees there will be a 33rd entry for the race and “maybe one more.”