MILKA DUNO QUALIFIES FOR 92nd INDY 500

INDIANAPOLIS (May 19, 2008) – Milka Duno, IndyCar Series driver with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, qualified Saturday, May 17, for the 92nd Indy 500.  Driving her #23 CITGO Honda Dallara IndyCar, Duno recorded a four-lap average speed of 220.305 m.p.h. which secured the 27th starting position and her second start in the classic 500-mile race. 
 
“I’m so relieved and very happy with our qualifying run,” said Duno.  “It was our goal to earn a place on the grid, and, with the help of my outstanding team, we did it.  There was some wind to fight off, which made the car a bit slower.  Even with the weather conditions, we came through to qualify for the world’s largest race with four consistent laps.  I am more than excited to compete in my second Indianapolis 500.”

Duno’s teammates, Townsend Bell and Buddy Rice, also qualified their Honda-powered cars into the Indy 500 field on Saturday afternoon’s time trials – 12th and 17th positions, respectively.

Duno is the only female Hispanic to be racing in the IndyCar Series.  In addition to racing the 2008 Indy 500, Duno raced at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Kansas Speedway.  Her remaining schedule includes eight more races, beginning with Texas Motor Speedway scheduled June 7.

Her list of accomplishments in racing is as important as her vast education.  Duno is a certified Naval Engineer who holds four master’s degrees.  Off the track, Duno appeared in the recently released Warner Bros. movie, “Speed Racer” and launched a new, bilingual children’s book, “Go, Milka, Go!”   

____________________________