Duno expects great strides with NHLR

The Venezuelan former sportscar racer has yet to finish above 11th during two part-seasons of IndyCar with SAMAX and Dreyer & Reinbold, but is testing with eight-time Champ Car champions NHLR at Homestead this week.

"It's a good opportunity for me to test with this championship team," Duno said. "It's always a driver's dream to be with a good team. The plan is to do the whole championship."

She accepted that she would have to raise her game to live up to Newman/Haas/Lanigan's illustrious reputation, but is confident that she will benefit from being at a top team.

"It's now up to me to do a good job," said Duno. "They know how to win a race. When you work hard and have the right conditions, good things will come."

Fellow team newcomer Robert Doornbos was Newman/Haas/Lanigan's best representative on the first day of the test, taking seventh place. The former grand prix driver reckons the team have closed the gap to the front-runners since the end of the 2008 season.

"I was following my mate Ryan (Briscoe) in the Penske car and I couldn't believe that I was doing the same laps times because they have a lot experience with the cars," said Doornbos. "So I give full credit to the engineers that worked hard over the winter."