“It’s one thing having the opportunity to now step up and progressing to the championship like Indy NXT, but it’s another to be doing it with a team like Andretti,” she said.
“I think everyone wants these opportunities and very few people get them so I’m very, very grateful.”
Though having a full-time female driver in the second-tier series for the first time in over a decade is certainly a boon for IndyCar, Andretti was unequivocal in his reasons for signing Chadwick.
“The first thing she brings his talent,” he said. “I think she’s a proven winner and we’re excited to give her a chance to move up to Indy NXT.
“She’s shown great potential already in the testing, she’s been right on the pace. I’m expecting really good things out of Jamie this year, so we’re really excited.”
Andretti highlighted the fact that Chadwick is hardly the first female driver to be taken under his team’s wing.
The three-time W Series champion will take on a combination of ovals, street circuits and road courses
andretti
“We’ve had many women drivers,” he said. “We gave women their first [IndyCar] win, which was Danica Patrick at Motegi, we have always supported it.
“But in the end I’m still looking for the best talent to drive our cars and Jamie is showing that.
“I think she can be a winner. If you’re going to be a winner in Indy NXT, you’re going to be able to go and win in the ‘big car’. That’s our goal with Jamie.”