Just when you thought that Danica Patrick’s ARCA debut for JR Motorsports at Daytona on February 6 couldn’t possibly draw more media hype, the series has announced an entry from Milka Duno, driving for Stringer Motorsports.
Danica Patrick is the marketing machine who has driven for Andretti Green (now Andretti Autosport) over the past three Indy Racing League (IRL) seasons. Despite being the highest ranked Andretti driver at season’s end, she finished the 2009 season without a victory or pole position. Her single podium finish came at the 93rd Indianapolis 500, where she finished third.
Milka Duno has raced an interrupted IRL schedule for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing, with sponsorship from Citgo (and, presumably, Hugo Chavez). Her best 2009 IRL finish was sixteenth, spurring the rumor that her name actually translated as “eight laps down” in a local Venezuelan dialect.
Neither driver is known for their patience or calm demeanor, and they’ve mixed like gasoline and fire in previous encounters.
Of course Danica does lead Milka 2-0 in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue appearances. When the gloves come off, though, I’ve got $5 on Milka for the knockout in the first round.