Milka Duno didn't set out to become a race car driver. In fact, the book-loving Venezuelan had earned 4 masters degrees and was well into a career as a naval engineer by the time a friend invited her to a driving clinic in 1995.
But when Milka climbed into the Porshe that day, something clicked. "I found my destiny," she says. Over the next few years she dove into racing with the same intensity she'd devoted to academics.
In 2004, she won her first big race { the Ferrari Challenge} and since then she's racked up 8 top finishes and become the first Latino woman to compete in the Indy 500 + the NASCAR National series.
A one-time model, Milka is known as much for her glamour as her skill behind the wheel. In her free time, she gives inspirational talks. Her message for young fans: study hard. "Sports last awhile," she says, "but education is forever."
known for
barrier breaking | first woman to win a major racing event {Miami Grand Prix} in the U.S. + highest female finisher in 24 hours of Daytona
academic overachievement | boasts 4 masters degrees {including one in engineering which helps her understand her car}
a catfight | well-publicized confrontation with racer Danica Patrick over driving in 2008 race
model good looks | makes a nomex jumpsuit sexy
three big moments + 1
1996 | drove first race in Venezuela
2004 | becomes first woman to win a Ferrari Challenge race ~ 4 years after beginning racing internationally
2007 | becomes first Hispanic woman to compete in Indy 500
2014 | became first Hispanic woman to compete in NASCAR national series in the US in 67 year history {also first Hispanic woman to lead in race laps at Talladega Super Speedway}
from | to
model + Naval engineer | one of the top female race car drivers in the world
born on
April 22, 1972
born in
Caracas, Venezuela
birth name
Milka
nickname
Milk and doughnuts
citizen of
Venezuela
daughter of
Julio Duno
~salesman~
Milka Olivero
~ attorney + political activist ~
sister of
two brothers
grew up in
Caracas, Venezuela
lives in
Miami, Florida
educated at
Universidad Catolica Andres Bello
~ Caracas, Venezuela | MS Organizational Development ~
Instituto Universitario Politecnico de las Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales
~ Caracas, Venezuela | Engineering {graduated 1st in class} ~
Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenieros Navales
~ Madrid, Spain | MS Naval Architecture
Instituto Maritimo Espanol
~ Madrid, Spain | MS Maritime Business + Fishing and Agriculture
loved studying
engineering + mechanics
advocate for
children achieving their academic potential | "aim for the stars" with the Milka Way
hospitalized children | through Racing For Kids non-profit
influenced by
Drivers Michael Schumacher and Johnny Cecotto
in her spare time
acts | appeared in movie Speed Racer {Kellie Gearbox} + Maria Celeste television show
inspired a children's book | Go Milka, Go with Raquel Benatar
goes home to Venezuela to see family + friends
played volleyball ~ on high school and college teams
tweets
@milkaduno
collapse bio bits"I'm always being asked about the treatment I receive from men and I always say that on track we are all drivers and no-one is going to give away something for nothing. They are not going to give me anything because I am a woman; I have to earn their respect with results, which forces me to aim even more for perfection."
2002 News | january 2002
"I don't like to do simple things. Only difficult things. And it has become my way of life."
Milkamania | april 2003
"I challenge any and all women to pursue their passion and their goals, and as long as they are doing that I don’t care if it’s as a stay-at-home mother, a firefighter or a racecar driver."
The Need for Speed | january 2005
"I like challenges. I love winning. I do not thrive on danger, but I do like to race, all the time."
Milka Duno: Determined to Win | december 2005
"Racing is a process like when you’re in school. You go to first grade, then second grade and you learn the basics while you work to get better."
Magnificent Milka | may 2006
"[0]ne day, I do want what most girls want: to be married, with a family and children. But right now I am focused on racing and winning. I have to take the opportunity in front of me. The rest can wait."
Magnificent Milka | may 2006
"You have to go flat all the time. There's no slowing down ever."
Even at 250 MPH, People are Noticing Milka Duno | april 2007
"I have great confidence. So I do not care what other people say. What do they know?"
Even at 250 MPH, People are Noticing Milka Duno | april 2007
"Things are hard but not impossible to accomplish. It is up to us to have strength and continue working hard to secure our goals"
First Latina Racing Champion Sets Pace for College-Bound Students | october 2011
"Forget the competition and focus on your goal."
Female racer's lessons from life in the fast lane | june 2012
"When you put the helmet on, it doesn’t matter if you are a woman or man; your mission is to compete to win."
Female racer's lessons from life in the fast lane | june 2012
for further reading about Milka Duno:
curated with care by Kathleen Murray { april 2015}
Milka Duno 35 2013 Scott 160 ARCA at Road America
Mika driving at the 2013 Scott 160 ARCA event at Road America. Mika began finished her first full season of stock car racing in 2013. She was the first Hispanic woman to race stock cars on a national level in the U.S. She finished the season 7th in point standings.
CC-BY-3.0
Marco Andretti Leads Milka Duno and EJ Viso into Turn10 Morning Practice SPGP 28 March 2010
Milka is close behind Marco Andretti, the third generation of the racing family and grandson of the legendary Mario Andretti during a morning practice for the St. Petersburg Grand Prix.
Valder137 | CC-BY-2.0
Milka Duno
Milka in her racing gear. Citgo has been one of her long-time sponsors on the racing circuit.
Jeffrey Keeton | CC-BY-2.0
Milka Duno
At the end of Fast Friday Milka Duno takes her helmet off before debriefing with her crew chief. Milka was the first Hispanic woman to drive in the Indy 500. She rose as high as 17th place before she spun out on lap 65 and was forced to exit the race.
Kyle Pearson | CC-BY-ND-2.0