Danica 2.0? Duno About That.

by Matt Sweet

It’s no secret who Danica Patrick is.  We’ve all seen the commercials; good looking female race car driver suggestively winking into the camera, daring you to visit the website she endorses.  But don’t let her wiles fool you; she is the reigning queen of IndyCar with no heir apparent to the throne in sight.  At least, until now.

Meet Milka Duno.

All right, so perhaps introductions aren’t necessary.  Milka’s been dancing around the IRL Series for the last three years, committing to part-time schedules each year and participating in up to 11 races in each respective series.  A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Duno has accumulated a 14 year competitive racing career both in the US and Venezuela culminating in her March 4^th announcement that, as a member Dale Coyne Racing, she would be competing full time for the 2010 series.

To compare Patrick and Duno is admittedly an obvious angle to cover, but these two competitors have set the table for a 2010 series that has the potential to be heated, if not explosive.  While they are certainly not front runners to take the IRL crown, their personal history indicates that this season will give their storied aversion towards one another a chance to flare up once more.  No greater evidence can be found than the heated exchange between the two after the 2008 Honda Indy 200 practice session, where Patrick questions Dunos grasp of elementary racing etiquette.

Opinions of Duno run the gamut from adoring praise to harsh criticism.  As a former model, her “Miss America”-esque glow seems to have captivated the hearts of many a race enthusiast.  “Fans love Milka because Milka loves the fans,” states Dennis Reinbold, owner of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Dunos former team.  “She’s an upbeat person who is great to work with at every level.”

Others aren’t so diplomatic, especially with regards to her racing style.  Patrick is not the only person who questions Dunos racing prowess.  “She needs to learn to be a consistent car in traffic,” commented Joe Berkemeier of TrackSide Online regarding to her performance in last year’s Indianapolis 500.  Fellow racer Graham Rahal chimed in she was “absolutely clueless.  She would go low like she was going to let everybody by, but then she’d go fast enough where you can’t get by her. She would come out on track and run you real tight.”  It seems her popularity begins and ends on the track itself.

As far as becoming the “next Danica Patrick,” Duno has more than just an uphill road to climb.  Or drive, rather.  Duno has failed to place in any IRL race higher than 11^th, and has finished only 15 of the 27 races she’s competed in over her three partial seasons.  Patrick on the other hand has rattled off 84 races since 2005, finishing in the top ten 46 times and even taking the checkered flag once in 2008.

Duno may prove to dethrone Patrick, but for now, Danica rules the road.