KNOXVILLE, Iowa — Iowa sprint car driver McKenna Haase is a patient at Knoxville Hospital after a violent crash Friday night at Knoxville Raceway.
Haase, 27, was involved in an accident with Terry McCarl on the opening lap of the first heat and her No. 55 sprint car impacted the turn one wall and flipped violently. She was extricated from the car and transported to the hospital where she is being treated for numerous injuries including a pneumothorax in her lungs. The injuries were confirmed in a social media post made by her mother, Kelly Ann Haase.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out. Your prayers are all greatly appreciated. McKenna is currently in a lot of pain. She has chest pain, a pneumothorax in her lungs, ripped up mouth and tongue, very sore neck and body,” wrote Kelly Ann Haase who went on to explain why McKenna Haase had yet to be transferred to a larger hospital in Des Moines.
“She was to be transferred to Des Moines, but both trauma centers (Mercy and Methodist) are full. Knoxville Hospital is going to hold her here and continue to monitor the pneumothorax with X-ray and CT. We pray that they will not need to insert a chest tube. She is currently stable.
“Unfortunately, her phone has disappeared from the track. So she is unable to take your calls. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers — we sincerely appreciate it!”
A two-time winner in 360 sprint cars at Knoxville Raceway, Haase has been traveling this season, competing in many of the sport’s major events.