Courtesy of MilkaDuno.com

JOLIET, IL (August 28, 2010) – Milka Duno finished 19th out of 29 entries in tonight’s 200-lap Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL.

In her first practice session on Friday morning her on-track time was seriously reduced due to a mechanical issue which caused her to have only 13 laps in the 60-minute session, but it was enough for her to deliver a best lap time only 7 tenths of a second off the practice’s leader.

The mechanical issue fixed, but with no opportunity for a shake-down, Duno qualified 26th for the start of tonight’s race – with a differential of 8 tenths of a second from the pole sitter’s time.

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Courtsey of MilkaDuno.com..

WATKINS GLEN, NY (July 4, 2010) – IZOD IndyCar driver Milka Duno finished 23rd in today’s Camping World Grand Prix At The Glen at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, NY.

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Courtsey MilkaDuno.com

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 20, 2010) – Handling issues forced an early end to IndyCar driver Milka Duno’s competition in today’s Iowa Corn Indy 250 at Iowa Speedway. By lap 31 of the 250-lap race it was obvious that the car was just not performing as well as it had in the practice sessions leading up to the race. Read More

LOS ANGELES, CA (MAY 24, 2010) – The format for this year’s Indy 500 offered new and unique challenges to the 41 entries vying for a spot in the coveted 33 car starting field. This is the first year in modern history that the qualifying format for the legendary race was scaled back to a single weekend, making the challenges of car set-ups, weather conditions and the luck of the draw all crucial factors.

Duno showed great promise on opening weekend and throughout the week leading up to this past weekend’s qualifying sessions. Weather conditions leading up to qualifying were very favorable, but for the first time since on-track preparations started hot, humid and windy conditions for both Saturday and Sunday would become part of the challenge for Duno and the Dale Coyne Racing team.

Duno drew the 44th spot for Saturday’s session and went out in hotter conditions – but still managed a 222mph+ qualifying time – bettering her successful qualifying time of 221mph for the 2009 race. She would eventually be bumped from the top 24 spots that were available on Saturday but determined to secure one of the final 9 available spots on Sunday. Read More

Contact in Pit Lane Causes Early End

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 1, 2010) – IZOD IndyCar driver Milka Duno was having a great run in today’s Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 at Kansas Speedway when a pit lane incident resulted in mechanical issues that ended her day early.

After exiting her pit during a yellow-flag pit stop and entering pit lane, Duno’s #18 CITGO/CANTV Dale Coyne Racing entry was squeezed by the #4 and the #5 car into a double-spin with the #5 car.

Duno would make two more pit stops immediately after the incident to determine why the car was ill-handling after the contact. After inspection by the team the damage was determined to be either in the upright or the gearbox and would end what was looking like a very promising day. Read More

BENTONVILLE – One look at Milka Duno and one wouldn’t be surprised to learn she is a model. One might be a little surprised however, at her primary career – race-car driver.

Duno is also an inspirational speaker who wrote her autobiography in a book geared toward elementary-school children. She shared her book and her story Wednesday morning at Central Park Elementary School at Morning Star. Duno, from Venezuela, spoke about the importance of education.

“Education is the number one thing you can do,” she said. “You can race cars for a little while, but your education is forever.”

Duno spoke about how she “competes to win”when she races, but that virtue started when she was in school. She tried to be the top student at her school, she said.

“I feel a responsibility to tell (students ) to prepare for the future,” she said.

The students were impressed with meeting the celebrity.

“It’s cool that she’s a (racecar driver ),” said Connor Krapf. “She can win trophies.”

Classmate Emma Wood was impressed with Duno’s other career.

“She’s also a model, and she gets to go to a lot of shows,” the second-grader said.

Both the students said they agree with Duno’s message regarding the importance of education. They agreed that staying in school is a good idea.

“It’s so you can learn more so when you grow up you can get the job you want,” Krapf said.

Duno was at the school as part of Central Park’s first Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. The school’s International Committee works to celebrate various cultures that are found within the school, assistant principal Inger Kent said. The school has 22 cultures represented within its walls, she said.

“Our children are from all over,” she said.

The lessons learned during Duno’s presentation will not stop there. Many teachers planned to discuss the presentation in their classrooms. For example, teacher Elizabeth Hampton said she was going to talk to the students about several aspects, including how Duno chose a profession that is not traditional for women. The class will also discuss more about Duno’s Hispanic heritage, as well as hard work that leads to success, Hampton said.

“We’ll talk about putting your mind to doing whatever it is you want to do, then doing it,” she said.