Catchfence

“Duno Very Strong in First ARCA Racing Series Test with Braun Racing”

LOS ANGELES, CA (December 20, 2009) – Milka Duno made her stock car debut at the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards open test at Daytona International Speedway this December 18, 19 and 20, 2009 with Braun Racing.

“Milka’s put on an excellent performance this weekend at Daytona,” said Braun Racing owner Todd Braun. “She demonstrated her ability to transition from driving an open-wheel car to a stock car and shows a lot of promise.”

Milka was not able to hit the track in Braun Racing’s No. 90 Toyota during the rain-shortened session on Friday – but she made up for lost time by delivering an outstanding performance in the two Saturday sessions and the first Sunday session.

With no prior practice or seat time in any type of stock car at the end of the sessions on Saturday Milka delivered the 13th quickest time (out of 63 times posted.)

Of the ten women participating in the ARCA Racing Series test, which included Danica Patrick – Milka was the second fastest at the end of the day on Saturday. Alli Owens, an experienced stock car competitor, led the group.

As all the drivers ahead of her that day have previous stock car experience, including several ARCA race winners – Milka was the fastest rookie on Saturday.

Milka’s only Sunday session started with a first lap time of 50.083 seconds placing her third fastest overall at the time. She pitted after the lap and when back out on the track the engine started to lose power – so her next 7 laps were off the pace. When she brought the car back into the pits an engine issue was diagnosed and her effort for the day came to an abrupt end. Had Milka been able to continue on she would have surely topped the charts again today with the fastest rookie time.

On Saturday Milka improved her results with each and every lap and from session to session. As of this writing, and at the end of today’s first session, Milka’s fast lap time on Saturday of 49.47 seconds (delivered in only 34 laps,) would have been achieved, and most likely bested today, and would have placed her second quickest in Sunday’s morning’s session.

“I knew what I was capable of if given a great car,” said Milka. “Braun Racing’s No. 90 Toyota Camry was a great car and had we been able to complete today’s test I’m confident that I would have gone even faster than yesterday. I think given that this was my first time behind the wheel of a stock car the test was a great success and a strong indicator of my potential in stock car competition. My thanks to Braun Racing and the entire crew for helping to make this exciting first venture in stock cars a great success!”

The most successful independent team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Braun Racing began as an ARCA Racing Series 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.

Braun Racing is a leading team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series that was handpicked four years ago by Toyota to help lead their entrance into the series. The team is proud to have claimed Toyota’s first Nationwide Series pole on February 24, 2007 at California Speedway and their first win at O’Reilly Raceway Park on July 28, 2007. Founded by team owner Todd Braun in 2002, the team is in its eighth season of competition in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and is expanding into a four-car operation in 2010 with an all-star driver line-up that includes Kasey Kahne, Brian Vickers, Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson, David Reutimann and Brian Scott. Braun Racing’s marketing partners includes Great Clips, Dollar General, Beringer Vineyards, AccuDoc Solutions, Fraternal Order of Eagles, ABF, Northeastern Supply, SEM and Safety-Kleen.

For more information about Braun Racing, please visit www.braunracing.com.

For more information on Milka please visit www.milkaduno.com.

To follow Milka on Facebook please go to http://www.facebook.com/people/Milka-Duno/100000462696227

- CapehartPR Press Release