WORLD DIRT RACING LEAGUE ANNOUNCES STRONG 2007 ROOKIE CLASS
Five drivers to run for series rookie-of-the-year title
By Tom Lathen
WORLD Dirt Racing League

GILMAN CITY, Mo. (May 10) - The WORLD Dirt Racing League PolyDome Late Model Series has announced this year’s class of rookie-of-the-year contenders. Among the strong group of rookie contenders are three drivers from Wisconsin, one from Minnesota and one from Iowa.

The elder statesman of the group is Elk Mound, Wis., driver John Kaanta. The 53-year old Kaanta, a retired chief deputy sheriff, is a two-time WISSOTA Late Model champion as well as a two-time WISSOTA Challenge Series champion. In his 28-year racing career, Kaanta has collected more than 150 feature race victories, including three WISSOTA 100 wins, two Silver 1000 triumphs and a pair of prestigious Punky Manor Challenge of Champions victories.

Terry Casey, 42, of New London, Wis., also brings strong credentials into the 2007 Rookie-of-the-Year chase. In his nine-year Late Model career, Casey is a former WISSOTA Late Model Rookie-of-the-Year and has won track championships at Langlade County Speedway and Shawano Speedway, both in Wisconsin. This past February, the driver known as “Mr. Excitement” qualified for eight of 13 Florida Speedweeks events, racing to runner-up finishes in two of them.

Cedar Falls, Iowa, native Jill George is the only female among this year’s PolyDome Late Model Series rookie contenders. A chiropractor by trade, George, 29, ran a limited WDRL schedule a year ago and looks to become the first female driver to ever qualify for a series feature event. She has competed successfully over the past few seasons at Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City, Iowa, and Farley Speedway in Farley, Iowa.

Andrew McKay of Edina, Minn., is the fourth member of this year’s class of rookie contenders. The 22-year old McKay is in his fourth year of Late Model competition and last season competed weekly at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn. McKay’s uncle and racing mentor, Tom Waseleski, was a successful WISSOTA Late Model competitor.

Tim Isenberg of Marshfield, Wis., is the first-ever second generation WDRL Rookie-of-the-Year challenger. His father Steve ran for the series rookie title in 2004. Isenberg, who is 25 years old, is in his third year of Late Model competition after racing Open-Wheel Modifieds for eight seasons.

In addition to a cash award and a variety of product awards, the 2007 WDRL Rookie-of-the-Year will again receive a wire-feed welder, cart and helmet from Lincoln Electric Co. of Cleveland, Ohio.

Last year’s WORLD Dirt Racing League PolyDome Late Model Series Rookie-of-the-Year was Columbus Junction, Iowa’s Jason Utter.

For more information on WDRL or the latest PolyDome Late Model Series schedule, check out the WORLD Dirt Racing League's Web site, www.worldraceleague.com .