Milka Duno Comes to Nationwide Series as First Hispanic Female

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Milka_D.179_ADuno signs limited NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule with RAB Racing

RAB has signed Milka Duno to compete in select races in the 2014 Nationwide Series, making her the first Hispanic female driver in history compete in a NASCAR national series in the United States.

Duno has competed in multiple racing series, earning eight major wins in the highest classes including, (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 Duno 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 the fist 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.

Making her transition to stock car racing and her ultimate entry into NASCAR, Duno has competed in the ARCA Racing Series 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 seventh in the series point standings, becoming the second 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 second in the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway and took the lead on the first lap, leading the race for several laps and 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 third in most laps completed and third in hard charger points.

“I’m really very excited and honored to enter nto 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 Rise will helm Duno’s Nationwide effort. In 2013, Rice led RAB Racing’s No. 99 to two poles, two top-five finishes, and six top-ten 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.”