Racing fans won’t forget the day two female IndyCar drivers got into a heated argument that ended with a towel to the face. Back in 2008, during practice for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, Danica Patrick and Milka Duno gave everyone something to talk about when a simple conversation about driving turned into a memorable pit-lane showdown.

Danica Patrick Stands Her Ground Against Milka Duno

The whole thing started when Patrick walked over to Duno’s pit area after practice. Patrick was frustrated because she felt Duno had been blocking faster cars on the track. But what should’ve been a quick chat between drivers quickly went south.

“Do you have any idea what you’re doing out there?” Patrick asked when she approached Duno.

Instead of talking it out, Duno grabbed a towel and threw it at Patrick’s face (twice) while telling her to “Go, go, go.”

Patrick didn’t back down. “What the hell? You’re slow. You’re giving everybody a hard time out there,” she fired back.

“I just want to talk to her about it. It happened three times this weekend. All I want to know is if you see me?” Patrick explained, clearly annoyed that Duno wouldn’t listen.

Duno brushed her off completely, claiming Patrick was just creating drama because she “likes shows.”

Later, when talking to reporters, Patrick admitted , “Unfortunately, things involving me tend to evolve. I’m on the hot seat when I do something and when others do something [connected to me]. It’s kind of the line that I walk because I’m popular.”

This wasn’t just a random argument. Many drivers had complained about Duno’s driving before. She was known for being too slow and unpredictable on the track. Things got so bad that in 2010, the IRL placed her on probation for not consistently meeting minimum performance standards.

While IndyCar officials didn’t punish either driver for their pit-lane argument, the “towel incident” became one of those moments racing fans still talk about years later. It showed Patrick as someone who wasn’t afraid to speak up while raising more questions about whether Duno belonged in top-level racing at all.

The confrontation sparked mixed reactions among racing fans. Some defended Patrick, saying she had every right to confront someone whose driving was creating problems for others. Others thought both drivers turned a professional disagreement into unnecessary drama.

What was clear is that this clash between two female drivers brought attention to bigger issues in IndyCar — a sport trying to be more inclusive while still maintaining high standards of competition.