Sheltra Motorsports Daytona test notes 2011-01-14

Milka Duno Excels in Test at Newly-Paved Daytona International Speedway
Duno and Sheltra Motorsports team ready for ARCA season opener February 12th

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 14, 2011) -- Milka Duno and her Sheltra Motorsports team created a big splash during the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards three-day test session at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) this week. The 2010 championship-winning team returned to the track looking to get ARCA Racing Series rookie Milka Duno ready for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 on February 12th and delivered the same top results they grew accustomed to last season.

Duno hit the newly-paved Daytona International Speedway for the first of three days of testing on Tuesday. Making her return to a stock car for the first time since last year's ARCA season opener, Duno turned in a fast time of 49.37 seconds (182.293 mph). The time put her No. 63 Dodge Charger fifth on the speed charts.

The Jon Wolfe led team returned for round two of testing Wednesday morning looking to try a few different setups in the morning session. Running 26 laps in the three-hour session, Duno posted a best time of 49.70 seconds (181.057 mph). ARCA Racing Series officials opened the track for the first drafting session Wednesday afternoon. Duno led a pack of five cars around the 2.5-mile oval for a few laps before dropping to the back of the pack to see how her No. 63 Dodge would react in the draft. During the draft Duno posted a fast time of 48.67 seconds (184.907 mph) putting her second on the speed charts for much of the session.

"We made many changes today to improve the car and make it faster," stated Duno. "We had the second-fastest time until the track cooled and the next drafting pack was able to turn a slightly faster time. We will try a few more changes and keep working on the draft tomorrow."

The final day of testing led to more single car runs in the morning session. Crew Chief Jon Wolfe tried several different setups running a total of 10 laps. The focus returned to drafting again in the afternoon's final test session. Running a total of 32 laps, Duno drafted in two different five to eight car packs. She took turns taking her No. 63 machine to the front of the pack and dropping to the back working to get the feel of drafting up to another car and passing. Duno finished the day with the sixth-fastest time, rounding the legendary track with a time of 48.727 seconds (184.703 mph).

"We focused today on drafting and we ended up with pretty good results," said Duno. "This was just the third day working with the team we're working together very well. They are a great group of people and they know what they're doing -- it is a fantastic opportunity for me."

After the three-day test session, Duno and her Sheltra Motorsports team are ready to hit the track for the first of 19 events on the 2011 schedule and are looking for strong results when the ARCA Racing Series takes the green flag on Daytona's high banks Saturday, February 12th.

"Milka did extremely well this week," said Wolfe. "I think we got what we wanted out of the test. We look forward to getting back to DIS in February where we can spend more time drafting and practicing in larger packs. She will give a good performance when the green flag drops on race day."

-source: sheltra motorsports