Kacey Korsmo has scary moment after Hawkeye Downs win, but keeps up double duty

It appeared to be a routine visit to Victory Lane at Hawkeye Downs for Kacey Korsmo.

Then things went dark.

Korsmo won Friday’s opening Late Models feature race at Hawkeye Downs Speedway, marking his third consecutive victory in the class. Upon pulling into Victory Lane and stepping out of his car to speak with the PA announcer, Korsmo suddenly felt his vision darken and experienced a bout of lightheadedness.

“My heart rate was going sky high,” Korsmo said. “It’s tough out there when you’re doing double duty and you’re trying to stay hydrated, trying to keep your feet under you, keep from getting worked up.”

Hawkeye Downs’ on-site ambulance crew rushed to Korsmo, checking his vitals, getting him fluids and eventually escorting him back to his trailer where Gatorade, food and cooling fans awaited him.

“The cars I didn’t think were very good early in the night, so we were working on them a lot more than usual,” Kormso said. “I was sweating out all my energy. And yeah, it was a heck of a race out there on the track, so I just got a little worked up, but all is well.”

The “cars” Korsmo referenced are his Late Model and Legend. He was tasked with preparing both for racing Friday.

Late Models was the first feature race of the night; Legends ran fourth.

“If I just had one car, it wouldn’t be near the issue,” Korsmo said. “I’d have more downtime to think about what I’m doing instead of constantly getting out of cars.”

Racing two cars on the same night doesn’t just mean running two races. Drivers also run hot laps and compete in heats prior to the feature events. Factor that in with the rush of competition and late-July Iowa heat, it was the recipe for a scary moment for Korsmo.

“I want to say it’s upwards of 115 to 130 degrees in the Late Models,” Korsmo said. “Then after I jump out of that Legend car, which is a lot of work and into my Late Model, it’s just super hot. And you’re trying to work as hard as you can in there to drive the car as fast as you can, which is definitely an adrenaline rush.”

Korsmo didn’t let the scare deter him from getting back on the track for the Legends feature — a class where he sits second in season points behind his father, Kevin Korsmo.

“I’ve got to keep the old man on his toes,” Kacey Korsmo said with a chuckle. “I love racing with my dad. He’s been racing for 35 years, and I’ve been coming here ever since I was born. It’s just what we do.”

Kacey Korsmo recovered nicely, taking second. Kevin Korsmo secured the checkered flag.

After winning the Legends track championship in 2023, Kacey Korsmo is content with his father taking the crown this year.

“I won the points championship last year, kind of checked that off my box,” Kacey Korsmo said. “Obviously, getting two in a row would be great, but dad’s in the lead. I’m all good with that. He deserves it.

“At the end of the day, if one of us wins, it’s win for the both of us.”