McKenna Haase, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, will be one of 17 drivers vying for a roster spot in the motorsport industry’s top driver development program. Haase, the first woman to win a sprint car feature at the venerable Knoxville Raceway in only her second year of racing, will be part of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) Combine in Florida Oct. 17-19 at New Smyrna Speedway. “Having the D4D Combine be the next step in my journey is a huge honor and blessing,” said Haase, a finance major at Drake University. “I've had so many exciting experiences in my career but being picked for the combine has been one of the most exciting moments yet.”
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Now in its 13th year, the annual NASCAR D4D Combine invites promising female and diverse drivers from around the globe to test their mettle over a three-day period, to identify which drivers will compete as part of the 2017 NASCAR D4D Class. Rev Racing, owned by Max Siegel, operates the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program. This year’s list of hopefuls includes 13 women and four men ranging in age from 15 to 25.
Driver of the Week: McKenna Haase
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D4D Combine participants will be evaluated on not only their racing skill but will also undergo a series of strength and agility exercises, and media training at nearby Bethune-Cookman University. Poise, in and out of a stock car, is one of the things NASCAR and the Rev Racing competition directors will measure when scrutinizing drivers during their time at New Smyrna Speedway. Established in 2004, the Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program has helped more than 30 drivers make a splash in NASCAR. Three of its graduates, in particular, have been especially successful: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Kyle Larson, in addition to NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers Daniel Suárez and Darrell Wallace Jr.
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In August, Larson won his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race to become the first graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity and the NASCAR Next programs to win at the sanctioning body’s top level. “I understand how challenging the D4D Combine can be, especially my first year, but I have thought about what might be next,” said Haase. “I'm fully willing to travel / move for the next step in my career and follow my heart.” Time will tell if Haase will make a name for herself in NASCAR, too. But for now, she will be looking to earn a spot in the 2017 NASCAR D4D Class through the combine. Fans can follow the NASCAR D4D Combine live on Twitter at @NASCARDiversity and @RevRacing.
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About Iowa Speedway Iowa Speedway, “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet”, is a state-of-the-art 7/8-mile asphalt paved tri-oval race track and motorsports facility located in Newton, Iowa. Our 2017 schedule includes three exciting race weekends: June 23-24 (NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Iowa 200 and NASCAR XFINITY Series American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen), July 8-9 (ARCA Racing Series Iowa 150 and Verizon IndyCar Series Iowa Corn 300) and July 28-29 (NASCAR K&N Pro Series Iowa 150 presented by Vatterott College and NASCAR XFINITY Series U.S. Cellular 250). For tickets, call 1-866-787-8946. To learn more, visit www.IowaSpeedway.com, “like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @IowaSpeedway.
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