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ARCA Series - Busy Day For Duno Ends In Top-15 Finish At Toledo


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TOLEDO, May 17, 2011: Determination, hard work and perseverance was the name of the game for Milka Duno and her Sheltra Motorsports team this weekend at Toledo Speedway.On a weekend where it seemed like luck was not on her side, Duno powered her CITGO SUPERGARD Dodge to a 15th-place finish in the caution-marred Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care. The finish was her best ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards result in what was only her second career short track start.

For the second race in a row rain plagued the ARCA Racing Series, and it was something they would fight all weekend long. For Duno and team the rain was more disappointing as they were looking to log as many laps as possible since it was her first time turning laps around Toledo Speedway's half-mile oval.

Rain cancelled qualifying putting Duno on the pole for the start of the Menards 200. With qualifying cancelled the Sheltra Motorsports crew turned their attention to the rain-delayed two hour practice session Saturday afternoon. As Duno became more comfortable with the track she climbed up the speed charts, but her last practice run ended in disaster. As Duno came around turn three a car in front of her dropped oil and with nowhere to go, Duno hit the oil, spun and hit the wall. With a torn-up CITGO SUPERGARD Dodge, Crew Chief Jon Wolfe made the call to bring out the backup car. Practice came to an end shortly after Duno's spin not allowing any time to make any laps in the new car.

Under hazy skies on Sunday afternoon, the ARCA Racing Series was set to go green for 200 laps of short-track action. Duno chose to relinquish her pole starting position and start in the rear of the field so she could have a chance to get a feel for her racecar. Looking to get the race started and fight the rain, ARCA officials threw the green and yellow flags simultaneously to signal the official start of the Menards 200. The drivers maintained their positions for the first 19 laps under yellow before the green flag was thrown on lap 20.

Once the field went green it didn't take long for the action to get started. Duno took the green from the 26th position and quickly moved up to 23rd. Looking to drive a smart, clean race, the ARCA Racing Series Rookie maintained position through three quick cautions. Fighting a loose race car, Duno's day got interesting on lap 44 when there was a wreck right in front of her CITGO SUPERGARD Dodge. With a quick reaction, Duno avoided the accident and climbed into the 19th position.

The field restarted on lap 48 and Duno moved to 18th. Only 10 laps later another wreck happened right in front of Duno's No. 63 machine. When the caution came out on lap 58 Crew Chief Jon Wolfe called Duno to pit road for two tires and fuel. With a quick stop the Sheltra Motorsports team picked up three positions on pit road returning the No. 63 to the track in 15th.

The field went back to racing on lap 66 and Duno continued for the next 100 laps, avoiding several wrecks and maintaining her position in the top-15. On a lap 169 restart Duno climbed to 13th where she would stay for the next 10 circuits until bringing out the caution on lap 179. Her No. 63 machine got loose in turn one and slid up the track making contact with wall. The contact caused left rear fender and tail damage forcing Duno to bring her car to the attention of her Sheltra Motorsports team for repairs. With only 21 laps remaining the crew worked quickly to get back on the track. Duno returned to the track in 17th, one lap down to the leaders.

The green flag flew again on lap 182 and Duno fought to bring her car into "Lucky Dog" position. With a quick yellow only seven laps later, lap 189, she received the free pass, earning her spot back on the lead lap.

The final caution of the race came out on lap 193 and set the field up for a four-lap shootout to the finish. Duno took the lap 196 restart from the 16th position and was able to climb to 15th before the checkered flag flew on lap 200.

"All things considered Milka did a great job today," said Wolfe. "She had no laps in the backup car, avoided a few big crashes and finished the race on the lead lap. Our goal today was to finish the race, and we did that. She did a good job and got some great short track experience."

The ARCA Racing Series heads to the twists and turns of New Jersey Motorsports Park next weekend for the ModSpace 150. The green flag will drop for 150 miles of road course action on Sunday, May 22 at 1:00 p.m. EST.