Gase attempting to make most out of starts

NEWTON - Joey Gase does not take anything for granted.

The 18-year-old Cedar Rapids native understands he must perform his best when he gets to drive in a more competitive racing series.

"You don't always get the opportunity," said Gase, who has been teaming with Benny Gordon Racing for some events already this spring. "When you get it you have to make it count as best you can."

Gase will get another chance with Benny Gordon Racing Saturday, driving a car owned by Tanner Berryhill Motorsports in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East/West Challenge at the Iowa Speedway. The race is set for 7 p.m. and is part of a weekend that features one of two NASCAR Nationwide Series races at the 7/8-mile track this season.

Gase, who is set to graduate from Cedar Rapids Xavier on Sunday, said he thinks he has as much experience as anyone in the race at Iowa Speedway.

"It's a place I really like to run," Gase said. "It's pretty smooth for the most part.

"I hope to be able to use that to my advantage."

The season has worked well in his favor already. Gase has run USAR Pro Cup Series races at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway and Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway, earning the pole position for both races. He placed second in the race at New Smyrna in March, setting a track record for fastest qualifying lap time. The results are a combination of good equipment, day-long efforts to the car's setup to the track and devising a strong game plan for the race.

"It's been working out for us for qualifying at least," said Gase, who also has two late model feature wins at Hawkeye Downs Speedway this spring, "and usually for the races."

Each series provides its own set of challenges, especially facing more skilled and competitive drivers, who benefit from being connected with NASCAR teams. Gase said the K&N Series includes drivers from Michael Waltrip Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing. Those drivers receive assistance and overcoming that can be a tough task.

"The equipment and information and everything is incredible," Gase said. "To keep up with those guys is pretty hard to do sometimes."

Gase has raced in Pro All-Star Series, ARCA, NASCAR K&N and USAR events the last two seasons. He was 14th in an ARCA race and 23rd in the NASCAR K&N event in Newton last year. More chances to compete at higher levels lead to a more relaxed and focused Gase behind the wheel.

"You get a lot more comfortable and confident," Gase said. "I'm hoping just to continue running good like I have been. Just keep on winning like down at New Smyrna and Hawkeye Downs and continue off that."

The weekend also includes the NASCAR Nationwide Iowa John Deere Dealers 250 at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The race will be televised on KCRG-TV9 (ABC), beginning with pre-race coverage at 12:30.