McKenna Haase

Dirt Oval racing // American

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Attitude is everything. A bad day at the racetrack beats a good day at the office. Racing is the constant search for the weakest link.

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nickname:

The Sprint Car Princess

Birthday:

February 13, 2025 (0)

Birthplace:

Carlisle, Iowa, United States

racing type:

Dirt Oval racing

team(s):

racing status:

Enthusiast

height (cm):

168

residence:

n/a

inspiration(s):

Kasey Kahne, Trenton Haase

guilty pLEASURES:

FOLLOWING:

Jeff Gordon

GRRL! Number:

GRRL-0553

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profile updated: June 12, 2025

McKenna Haase is a pioneering female sprint car racer who made history as the first woman to win a feature sprint car race at the legendary Knoxville Raceway, and is now transitioning to NASCAR late model racing in pursuit of new challenges on asphalt.

EARLY YEARS

Growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, in a family with little racing connection, McKenna’s fascination with motorsports began during a chance meeting with NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne at a Nashville mall when she was in third grade. Though her parents initially had reservations about racing, they supported her interest with the condition that she drive herself to the track and financially support her racing ambitions—a challenge she embraced wholeheartedly. By age 12, she had saved $800 toward her first race car and began participating in recreational karting leagues. Her entrepreneurial spirit emerged early as she sold Interstate Batteries door-to-door and assisted local racing teams by scraping mud off cars, immersing herself in the racing community from her teenage years.

Beyond the track, McKenna excelled academically as her high school’s valedictorian while balancing multiple athletic pursuits. She achieved a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and found success in golf, demonstrating the same determination and discipline that would fuel her racing career. This combination of strong family support, self-reliance, and academic excellence alongside her racing passion created the foundation for her future success in motorsports.

EARLY SUCCESS

Though she grew up in a typical Midwestern sports family more focused on traditional activities like softball, McKenna quickly adapted to the racing world after beginning with Outlaw dirt karts and micro-sprints. Despite the inherent dangers of motorsports and the challenges of entering a male-dominated field, her unwavering determination propelled her forward into sprint car racing—a discipline known for its intensity and fierce competition. Racing at Knoxville Raceway, one of sprint car racing’s most legendary venues, tested her skills and resolve early in her career.

Her breakthrough came in 2015 when she made history at Knoxville Raceway by becoming the first female to win a feature sprint car race, a milestone that transcended personal achievement to become a significant moment for women in motorsports. What made this accomplishment even more impressive was that within less than a month, she secured a second feature win at the same track, proving her first victory wasn’t merely luck but the result of skill and determination. These early victories established McKenna as a legitimate competitor regardless of gender, laying the groundwork for a career defined by breaking barriers.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

2015: Became the first female driver to win a feature sprint car race at Knoxville Raceway in Iowa.
2015: Secured a second feature win at Knoxville Raceway within a month of her historic first victory.
2025: Transitioned to NASCAR Weekly Racing Series, competing in the 602 Late Model division at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.

REPUTATION

In the sprint car racing community, McKenna has established herself as a groundbreaking competitor whose reputation extends beyond gender milestones to focus on her skills as a racer. Her consistency on track and multiple career wins have earned her recognition as a serious contender in every race she enters. Participation in prominent series such as the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars demonstrates her commitment to competing at the highest levels of dirt track racing despite the additional challenges women often face in the sport.

Known for her professional values and integrity, she carefully selects collaborations with respected figures in the industry who share her emphasis on mutual respect. This commitment to professionalism, combined with her competitive tenacity and pioneering achievements, has made McKenna an inspiring figure for aspiring racers regardless of gender. Her willingness to take on new challenges, as evidenced by her transition to pavement racing, further cements her reputation as an adaptable and forward-thinking athlete who continues to redefine possibilities in motorsports.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

For 2025, McKenna is focused on establishing herself in asphalt racing with her move to the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series, driving the No. 55 car sponsored by Interstate Batteries at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, California. This transition from dirt to pavement represents the fulfillment of her lifelong aspiration to race stock cars and marks a significant evolution in her career trajectory. Through her partnership with experienced team owner Charlie Wilson, she aims to build upon her dirt racing success while developing the specialized skills required for asphalt competition. This strategic career move positions her to potentially advance through NASCAR’s developmental ladder system while continuing to inspire young women in motorsports.