IndyCar Series racer Milka Duno is following Danica Patrick's lead by dipping her toe in the stock car waters. Duno will make her stock car debut during the ARCA RE/MAX series open test at Daytona International Speedway Dec. 18-20, at the wheel of Braun Racing's No. 90 Toyota.
“This will be a new challenge for me and one that I've been looking forward to,” said Duno, who raced in Grand-Am before switching to Indy cars. “I know it won't be easy – it will be hard work – but work that I'm ready to take on.
"My goal was to reach open-wheel racing in the United States and the Indy 500,” added the Venezuelan. “I just completed my third season in IndyCar and this year I decided not to once again pass on an opportunity to get behind the wheel of a stock car.”
Braun Racing began as an ARCA team in 2002. Team owner Todd Braun found immediate success in the series, capturing an impressive four wins in his first season. The following year, he moved into the Nationwide Series and has since grown into a four-car operation. Still, Braun keeps an eye on drivers coming through the series in which he got his start.
"When Milka and I met, I expressed an interest in testing her in a stock car,” said Braun. “The interest was mutual and we were more than happy to make it a reality. We discussed that in order to compete in NASCAR a driver must first participate in an ARCA Racing Series test. She is a very talented driver and has experienced success in both sports car and open-wheel racing. The natural progression would be for her to drive a stock car. I have always enjoyed working with drivers new to stock car racing and I look forward to the ARCA Racing Series test with Milka."