NASCAR driver Joey Gase returns to Hawkeye Downs

CEDAR RAPIDS — Racing in the NASCAR Cup series has left Joey Gase not only busy, but representing plenty of sponsors, his hometown and his expanding family.

"Now I have to do even better and be a good role model for my boys," said Gase, father of twin 17-month-old sons, Jace and Carson, with wife Caitlin.

"We are improving every year, and we can see that, but it's very hard to compete at the highest level, that's for sure," Gase said. "Our team's budget is only about $37 million behind the guys that are winning all the time."

Most recently, Gase was proud of how the team performed at Kansas on May 2 (35th in the Buschy McBusch Race 400) even though they are still trying to improve the car.

"I wish we would have fired off a little better," Gase said. "But that's the thing about not having practice."

Luckily for Gase, fans will return to Nashville, Tenn., when his team hits the new-to-the-circuit track for the Ally 400 on June 20.

"I'm really looking forward to a new track and a sold-out crowd," Gase said. "Once you get in the car you don't feel it, but definitely leading up to it and after the race you see the difference."

Along with building his race team, Gase's continued work with organ procurement organizations keeps expanding with the registries for Colorado and Tennessee. Both will adorn his car in Nashville.

"We're definitely doing a good job with our message," Gase said. "It's great to see all of the honorees and their families and hearing people say they signed up because of those stories."

Gase's connection to the cause began a decade ago when his mother's death resulted in several lifesaving donations that helped inspire the young driver to work regularly with nonprofits such as the Iowa Donor Network.

"It feels about the same but when you say it was 10 years ago, it's crazy to think that it's been that long," Gase said. "We definitely miss her as much as we always have."

With young kids and living grandparents, Gase plans on keeping stops at Hawkeye Downs on his yearly schedule.

"It's super historic and a landmark in my opinion," said the Xavier grad. "A lot of people don't realize that a lot of people have worked their way up to the top racing out here."

Gase also likes seeing his local, longtime fans and interacting with them when he returns to Cedar Rapids.

"The track is working hard to make a comeback and for those people that haven't been out here for a long time, you should come out," Gase said. "I'm proud to say I'm from Iowa and to see how many drivers are from here."