Hectic week for Gase

NEWTON - This week has been busier than normal for Joey Gase.

Whenever he competes at Iowa Speedway, expects a hectic week, giving interviews and accommodating friends and family who support him. this time included an added element.

Gase was visited by ESPN, sharing the story behind his effort to promote organ donation that includes the impact of his mother, Mary Jo Gase, who died in April 2011. The story will likely run in connection with the NASCAR Nationwide Series U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway in August.

ESPN arrived in Cedar Rapids, interviewing Gase, his sister, Ashley, Jordan Shaw, of Omaha, Neb., who received a kidney transplant from Mary Jo Gase's donation. Gase, driving the Go Green Racing No. 79 car sponsored by Donate Life/Iowa Donor Network, was introduced to Shaw at Iowa Speedway before last August's race.

The TV network went to Gase's house and local car shop and J.C. Penney, where Mary Jo Gase worked as a hair stylist. ESPN also shot footage of Gase and his day at Iowa Speedway on Friday.

“It's different, that's for sure,” Gase said. “It's good attention though.

“They just followed us around all day. They did a bunch of interviews.”

Any publicity is good in motorsports. Gase's name and his sponsors become more visible, exposing them to a wider audience. Most important to Gase, is shines a bigger spotlight on organ donation.

“I like it,” Gase said. “It's cool.”

The reserved 20-year-old has adjusted to the publicity and marketing that accompanies the cause. Gase knows it comes with the territory. He embraces it, trying to make a difference.

“I'm getting a little more used to it throughout the years,” Gase said. “It's something you know you have to do.”

The entire week has been exciting. He said he loves getting to race in his home state. He has had a little more to juggle and more distractions to block.

"Joey's been really busy," said Bob Gase, Joey's father. "Racing at home is nice, but there seems like there is added work involved."

Gase has regularly visited children in hospitals, waiting for an organ donation. Some are in dire situations with the clock on their mortality ticking loudly. Bob Gase some only have weeks to live without a transplant, and Gase is driven to help as many as possible, like his mother helped others with her choice to donate.

"It's really hard on Joey to do that, but he enjoys it," Bob Gase said. "Hopefully, he can save lives. That's what he is doing it for."

Gase qualified 32nd for the DuPont Pioneer 250 on Saturday at Iowa Speedway. It tied his best start of the season. He will make his sixth start of the season, trying to crack the top-30 for the first time in 2013.

Gase said his car struggled Friday during practice, forcing the team to change motors and fix radio issues. He said the team rebounded and he could have gotten more out of the car in qualifying.

“We've been behind the ball a little bit,” Gase said. “(Saturday) we made some adjustments.

"I think I left some out on the table (during qualifying).”