Gase honors late mother

CEDAR RAPIDS - "Love you mom."

It is a simple, but emotional message in bright green letters next to a same-colored ribbon sprawled across rear quarter-panels of Joey Gase's late model race car. Just below it is a logo honoring Mary Gase, the woman who was apprehensive about his start in racing but become one of her son's biggest fans.

The 18-year-old race car driver wanted a tribute for his late mother, who died April 3 at the University of Iowa Hospitals, after suffering a sudden brain aneurysm. So, in his first time on the track since his mother's death, Gase claimed the checkered flag, displaying the memorial message to fans as he crossed the finish line and parked in victory lane where she would occasionally join him if he had won.

"Yeah, she was a big fan," Gase said of his mom, who was a regular at his Hawkeye Downs races. "She would always be there whenever she could.

"She was always there cheering for me."

Gase, who designed part of the logo that was finished by fellow driver Derek Parrott, said she was a loving mother who was always there for him. Bob Gase, Joey's dad and Mary's ex-husband, said the two had a lot in common.

"They had a really tight relationship," he said. "She was just like Joey."

Nothing could have prepared Gase for the events of April 2. Mary Gase, 44, was in good health and was set to watch a movie Gase had cued up for her before leaving with a friend, and eventually making his way to Hawkeye Downs to run his father's old modified car during the track's Car Show and Test and Tune that day.

"It was really unexpected," Gase said about the sad turn of events that day. "She was really healthy, doing great. That day we were hanging out and having fun. I had just left to go to a friend's house. Then we came home that night and she had it just randomly.

"She was fine that whole day. She just maybe had a little bit of a headache, but she had migraines before."

Gase returned later to find his mom's fiance, Keith Hawkins, tending to Mary, who was home alone when the sudden aneurysm occurred. Emergency responders were on their way, leaving the Cedar Rapids Xavier senior to flag down and escort them in the house to treat his mom.

"I was really bad," a quiet Gase said. "It's weird. It didn't really hit you right away. You're just in reaction mode at first and then it hits you."

Bursts of emotion are rare for Gase and his quiet and reserve personality. Never one to get too excited for a win or dejected by a poor performance, Gase couldn't hide his grief.

"Even at the funeral and the hospital, he was so tough and trying to maintain," said Bob Gase. "I've never seen tears so big in my life. It just broke my heart because he's such a fantastic young man."

Gase returned to school after one week and focused on working in his garage. He said racing helped keep his mind off the loss. Gase, who admitted that he wants to provide a strong example for his 12-year-old sister, Ashley, exhibits a resilience and maturity that is beyond his years.

"Absolutely," Bob Gase said. "I think he lets it out emotionally by winning races."

The tragedy has taught Gase to appreciate life and express his appreciation for loved ones whenever leaving them. He said you never know when it might be the last time you see them. Gase's last comment to her was "I love you" but misses being able to talk to her.

"Just one thing that drives me nuts is that I always want to go tell her something but I can't do that," Gase said. "That's the big thing."

When many will spend time at brunches or dinners with their moms on Mothers Day, Gase will rely on his prom experience Saturday , a cousin's First Communion and time with other family members to occupy his thoughts. He did say he may spend time visiting the cemetery. He expects the day to be tough.

"Maybe a little bit," Gase said. "I'm just not going to try to think about it that much."

Gase's thoughts of his mother include time at home and at the track. He recalled baking cookies with her as a youth and depending on only Mary, a longtime hair stylist, to cut his hair. He also remembered her visits before races where only a chain-link fence stood between them as she encouraged him one last time before pulling out of the Hawkeye Downs pits.

"Good luck, buddy," Gase said about her pre-race words. "Be safe and be careful."

Switch those around to reflect Mary's more important cares, according to Gase. She hoped for him to stay out of harm's way and then came her cheers of "Go, Joey, Go!" from the grandstands.

"That was her No. 1 concern, always that I was safe," Gase said. "That's what she was always really worried about. If I did well, that was always her second priority."

She also held Joey's education as a top priority as well. Gase will be attending Mount Mercy University in the fall. He said that would make her proud.

"I know she was really happy I'm going to be going to college," Gase said.

According to her obituary, Mary enjoyed watching her son's racing and attending Ashley's athletic events, which included a national cheer competition in Florida earlier this year. Mary was reluctant to let her son race at a young age. Joey recalled her reaction when Bob gave him his first go-kart at age 4.

"I remember my dad kind of had to sneak and buy it and she wasn't too happy," Joey said. "After that she was kind of used to it and supportive."

Gase got behind the wheel last Friday at Hawkeye Downs for his first race since her death. Gase remained patient half of the 30-lap feature before taking the lead and pulling away from the field. Gase, who became the youngest season points late model champion at Hawkeye Downs in 2009, captured the feature win, capping the track's opening night. It was an emotional victory.

"It was crazy," Gase said about the opening-night victory. "I was hoping it was going to happen. It did. I saw my grandma and aunt, who is my mom's sister, crying right away, I knew it was really special."

Gase, who added a second straight late model feature win Friday,  had a successful start to the spring. He drove for Spraker Racing during ARCA Series testing at Daytona International Speedway in January. He then raced to a runner-up finish at the USAR Pro Series Kangaroo Express Maudlin International Truck 250 at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway on Mar. 19. He posted a single-lap qualifying time of 18.523, breaking the track record of 19.704.

In coming weeks, Gase is planning on competing at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway and then at the Iowa Speedway in Newton for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series on May 21. Gase said his team, which has forged a relationship with Benny Gordon Racing, had high hopes this season.

"The season started off great," said Gase, who is dedicating the season to his mom. "Even the test at Daytona went pretty good, too.

"Everything has been going pretty good this year."

Starting with hat first race after his mother's death, Gase said he feels as if he has someone watching over him. Others have told him the exact same thing.

"There is some stuff that's crazy, like 'Did that just happen?' " Gase said. "I know it's probably my mom up there or somebody watching."

It could be the same person he said would tell him to keep his head on straight and to avoid doing anything stupid. The woman who would urge him to continue his education while closing in on his goal to run in one of the top three series of NASCAR, including the Sprint Cup circuit. Things will be different not seeing her in the stands, cheering him on as he zips around the track.

"At least I have a lot of family there to support me. That helps a lot," Gase said. "It's something you're never going to get used to completely."

Which makes his message even more important.

"Love you mom."