INDYCAR: Paretta - Grace not working with KVSH

Grace Autosport is not expected to make its debut at the 100th Indianapolis 500 with KVSH Racing.

RACER has learned Grace Autosport owner Beth Paretta is in ongoing discussions with other teams to run her program for the month of May, and despite reports placing Grace with the team owned by Kevin Kalkhoven, Jimmy Vasser and James Sullivan, Paretta says that information is not correct. 

"We haven't made any statements on racing with [KVSH], or any team for that matter," said Paretta, who is in Long Beach for meetings with potential Indy 500 entrants. "We are busy working to finalize our program, and the interest has been incredible. We are happy to be bringing new partners to the sport who see the value in this incredible platform of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in action. Grace is about tenacity, team work, and education and we look forward to bringing our team to the 500 and more."

Provided a partnership with an existing team is secured, Paretta's IndyCar program could rank among the most impactful efforts at the Indy 500. Grace Autosport's educational initiative using STEM to groom or assert women in leadership roles within the sport has already gained considerable traction.

With the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 expected to garner most of the attention next month, Paretta's STEM-based IndyCar program has the potential to connect with the mainstream media in ways where typical racing storylines often fall short.

Paretta's plan to use women in a variety of roles on the team - some working directly as part of the crew and others in active training positions - would be the first of its kind since the inaugural Indy 500 was held in 1911.