Milka Duno To Become First Hispanic Female Driver in History To Compete in a NASCAR National Series in the United States:
Duno signs limited NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule with RAB Racing
Los Angeles, Calif. (August 4, 2014) – RAB Racing has signed multiple race-winning driver Milka Duno to compete in select races in the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series and with the entry Duno will become the first Hispanic female driver in history to compete in a NASCAR national series in the United States.
A successful driver who has competed in multiple racing series Duno has eight major race wins in the highest classes (Prototype) in the American Le Mans Series and the Grand American Rolex Series and the highest finish ever by a female driver (2nd place) in the 24 Hours at Daytona – in the now 52-year history of the race.
When she won the Rolex Series Grand Prix of Miami she became the first woman in history to win a major international race in the USA.
In 2007, Duno was also the first Hispanic female driver, in the now 103-year history of the race, to qualify for and compete in the world famous Indianapolis 500. Duno competed in the Indianapolis 500 for three consecutive seasons and in the IndyCar Series for four consecutive seasons – running partial schedules in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and a full schedule in 2010.
In making her transition to stock car racing and her ultimate entry into NASCAR Duno has been competing in the ARCA Racing Series (ARCA) for the past three seasons. In 2011 and 2012 she competed in partial schedules and in her first full ARCA season in 2013, competing with Venturini Motorsports, she finished the season 7th in the driver point standings and became the 2nd highest finishing female driver in ARCA’s now 62-year history. Duno is also the first Hispanic female driver to compete in ARCA.
During her 2013 ARCA season Duno started 2nd in the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway and took the lead on the first lap and led the race for several laps – becoming the first Hispanic female driver to lead an ARCA race.
At Talladega Superspeedway she earned the pole, led the race and became the first Hispanic female driver to earn an ARCA pole. She also became only the fourth female driver in ARCA history, and only the second female driver in 25 years, to earn an ARCA pole at Talladega. Duno finished her 2013 ARCA season 3rd in most laps completed and 3rd in hard charger points.
“I’m really very excited and honored to enter into NASCAR and the Nationwide Series,” said Duno. “It has always been a goal and dream of mine to compete in NASCAR and I worked very hard in ARCA to turn this goal into a reality. I always strive to challenge myself as a driver and I’ve been fortunate to compete in many types of racing – and while the competition is always my number one focus – I am very proud of the history that I have made as a female driver, and the Hispanic sports history as well, that has been made along the way.” Added Duno, “NASCAR is the most competitive and popular racing series in the USA and I’m very proud to enter the series with RAB Racing and I look forward to competing with them in their No. 29 Toyota Camry.”
Veteran crew chief Chris Rice will helm Duno’s NNS effort. In 2013, Rice lead RAB Racing’s No. 99 Toyota Camry to two poles, two top-5 finishes, and six top-10 finishes.
“We’ve watched Milka develop in the ARCA Racing Series and feel she is prepared for the next step in her stock car racing career,” said RAB Racing owner Robby Benton. “I think that working together with Chris Rice, Milka can find a home in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. She has a very strong fan base and we hope we can attract them to follow her in her NASCAR endeavors. Milka is very intelligent and educated and we look forward to working with her.”
The NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) has established itself as the No. 2 motorsports series in the United States, second only to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS). The NNS represents the middle ring in NASCAR’s national series, situated between the NASCAR Sprint Cup and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
The NASCAR Nationwide Series had proven to be an outstanding series for up-and-coming competitors who aspire to become NSCS drivers, with a number of today’s premier series stars having developed their skills in the NNS series over the years.
About Milka Duno
Off the track Duno is a member of the Univision Deportes Network Formula One broadcast team as a commentator for their live F1 pre-race shows and live race broadcasts of all of the 2014 F1 races.
Duno also serves as a newly elected member of the 2014 Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Women & Motor Sport Commission. The FIA is a non-profit association established in 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organizations around the world. The FIA consists of 213 national member organizations in 125 countries worldwide. Its most prominent role is in the licensing and arbitration of the Formula One and World Rally Championship series. The International Olympic Committee provisionally recognized the federation in 2011, and granted full recognition in 2013.
As certified Naval Engineer with four master’s degrees – earning the last three simultaneously – Duno is a firm believer in the value of education and is working through her “Milka Way” program to inspire youth to “Aim for the Stars” and achieve academic excellence. Duno has taken this message to children, students, parents and teachers at all school levels all across the United States and around the world – including Venezuela, Malaysia, Canada, Japan, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Guatemala, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. For more information on Milka Way, visit www.milkaway.com.
Milka’s official website is available at www.milkaduno.com
Fans cans also logon to her official Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/TheOfficialMilkaDunoFanPage.
Duno can also be followed on Twitter @MilkaDuno.
About RAB Racing
Robert Benton and Brack Maggard formed the partnership that culminated into what is now known as RAB Racing with Brack Maggard. Since its inception, RAB Racing has laid a foundation to become one of the top teams in the motorsports industry. Originally founded in August of 2005, RAB Racing has grown from a team of two part-time crew members in a 2000 sq. foot space into a highly competitive team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with over 25 employees. Operating out of a state-of-the art 40,000 sq. foot facility in the heart of racing country, RAB Racing is a team of passionate and driven individuals all striving to make their mark in one of America’s most competitive sports. Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings by liking them on Facebook (RAB Racing) and by following them on Twitter (@RAB_Racing).
