Kevin Harvick has already taken a flyer on the next female driver looking to make a big splash in NASCAR.
Last weekend, Katherine Legge turned in a career-best performance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after securing a 17th-place finish in the Brickyard 400. On the heels of the strong showing, the part-time Live Fast Motorsports driver asserted that she’s grown more comfortable with each passing race behind the wheel of the No. 78 Chevrolet.
Elsewhere in the world of motorsports, Iowa sprint car phenom McKenna Haase is looking to make a name for herself with the help of Harvick. Back in April, she announced her move from sprint cars to late model stock car racing.
Sensing a golden opportunity to represent a bright up-and-coming driver, Harvick’s KHI Management agreed to endorse Haase as she competes in the 602 Late Model NASCAR Weekly Racing Series division at Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, California.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity Interstate Batteries, Charlie Wilson, and our partners are providing for me to race stock cars this year in California. This is something I’ve always been passionate about and hoped to do, and I’m grateful it’s now a reality,” Haase said in an official statement.
“I would like to be clear that I’ve never said I’m quitting sprint car racing and still own a sprint car team, and trust me when I say there aren’t words to describe what racing sprint cars means to me. However, our decisions are led by faith and business factors, and I hope people can understand where I’m coming from.”
As one of her first big moves, Haase teamed up with Wilson – a veteran crew chief who’s worked alongside NASCAR stars such as Harvick, Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer, Steve Park, and Ron Hornaday Jr. in the Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series. “I got connected with Charlie Wilson, who is based out in California,” she told NASCAR.com.
“Charlie has a long and extensive background in asphalt racing. He’s got a reputation for having good equipment that’s fast, but also for being a really good person who is genuine, fair and ethical, and those are all values that matter to me. There’s mutual respect and we just clicked.
“Charlie’s the main reason to answer the, ‘Why California?’ question,” Haase continued. “Charlie was willing to work with me and help make this happen. I don’t have endless funding to go race. I need to maximize this opportunity. Charlie understands that.”
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Despite making the transition to stock cars, Haase poured cold water on the notion that she’s attempting to someday reach the Cup Series. “I’ve always wanted to race stock cars and, you know, I’m not getting any younger. I just wanted to give it a chance,” Haase said.
“I’m not saying that I’m going to try and be a Cup driver, but I’ve always loved NASCAR. I want to be successful at it and I’m coming at it from a humble approach. The door was open for this opportunity with Charlie Wilson and Interstate Batteries, so why not take it?”