Duno set to make NASCAR debut

Former IndyCar and sports car driver Milka Duno will make her NASCAR debut with a limited schedule of races for RAB Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. With her entry in the team's No. 29 Toyota, Duno will become the first Hispanic female driver in history to compete in a NASCAR national series in the United States.

Venezuelan Duno has been competing in the ARCA Race Series for the past three seasons, while also serving as a TV reporter at Formula 1 events for the Univision Deportes Network.

"I'm really very excited and honored to enter into NASCAR and the Nationwide Series," said Duno. "It has always been a goal and dream of mine to compete in NASCAR and I worked very hard in ARCA to turn this goal into a reality. I always strive to challenge myself as a driver and I've been fortunate to compete in many types of racing and, while the competition is always my number one focus, I am very proud of the history that I have made as a female driver, and the Hispanic sports history as well, that has been made along the way."

Veteran crew chief Chris Rice will helm Duno's NNS effort. In 2013, Rice lead RAB Racing's No. 99 Toyota Camry to two poles, two top-5 finishes, and six top-10 finishes.

"We've watched Milka develop in the ARCA Racing Series and feel she is prepared for the next step in her stock car racing career," said RAB Racing owner Robby Benton. "I think that working together with Chris Rice, Milka can find a home in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. She has a very strong fan base and we hope we can attract them to follow her in her NASCAR endeavors. Milka is very intelligent and educated and we look forward to working with her."