Authentically Iowan - McKenna Haase
Posted on May 14, 2019 in Authentically Iowan
Delta Dental of Iowa is celebrating Iowans who make extraordinary things happen — the folks chasing their dreams … shaking things up … all while staying true to their values and working toward a bigger purpose than their own personal success. They are Authentically Iowan. We’re on a journey to discover these Iowans. And, when we find these gems, we’ll introduce them to you. Some you may have heard of, others may not be so well known. All have something to say. We’re listening.
Our first Authentically Iowan is Carlisle native, McKenna Haase. At 22, McKenna is already a winning sprint car driver, the first and only female to win a feature race at the nationally famous Knoxville Raceway. And, just this past January she raced in Tulsa, OK at the iconic Chili Bowl Nationals — the most important racing weekend in midget racing. She has big, bold goals to race professionally and the Chili Bowl weekend moved her one step closer to her dream.
McKenna is the owner of Team Haase Racing, LLC and manages all the business aspects of a professional race program, including sponsorship, operations, and racing. Yet, she just might be most in her element when she is spending time with her young race fans. She founded and manages Compass Racing Development, a racing driver development program for youth. In working with youth racers, McKenna nurtures their passion for racing and models important character traits for success on and off the track: teamwork, honesty, excellence and integrity. She also has recently founded a nonprofit, Youth Racers of America, with a goal of providing camps, clinics, safety gear, and educational resources for youth race car drivers nationally.
Our president and CEO, Jeff Russell, was captivated by McKenna’s drive, perseverance, success, and vision after meeting her. “McKenna’s a wonderful representation of what it means to be Authentically Iowan. As an Iowa company, Delta Dental believes in helping our neighbors — in our case, working to help all Iowans live happy and healthy lives. We see something special in McKenna and are proud to be a part of helping her realize her dreams as one of her sponsors this year.”
Over the next few weeks McKenna will give some insight into her life and what she believes has led to her success as a race car driver, business woman, and youth coach.
We joined McKenna in Tulsa at the Chili Bowl and spent some time talking with her about life as a professional racer. Check out the awesome Chili Bowl craziness and get to know McKenna.
We joined McKenna in Tulsa at the Chili Bowl and spent some time talking with her about life as a professional racer. Check out the awesome Chili Bowl craziness and get to know McKenna.