Iowa Native Joey Gase to race in Newton to honor mom, organ donation

Newton, IA - NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, and Cedar Rapids native, Joey Gase will be racing at the Iowa Speedway in honor of his mother Mary, who was an organ and tissue donor three years ago. Joey is currently ranked 19th in the series through nine races. Iowa Donor Network is a primary sponsor of Joey Gase Racing for the May 18th race, which airs on ESPN at 2pm. 

"I'm very proud that my mother was able to help so many people by donating her organs and tissues. It has helped my family shine some positive light on what was a hard time for us," says the 21 year-old Gase.

For the first Iowa race in the series, Gase will be featuring a picture of his mother on the hood of his #52 racecar. Garrett Brockway, a 10 year old organ donor from Burlington, will have his picture next to Joey's mom. Bruce and Tiffini Brockway chose to donate his organs after an accident at their acreage in February of 2013.

"It's been a bright light in our lives and it brought some positive things out of a tragic situation," said Bruce. The Brockway's have since started Garrett's Path, a foundation aimed at promoting education and organ donation awareness. 

Gase will have no shortage of fans at this race, as close to 200 friends and family plan on attending. Additionally, the Brockway's will be arriving in a charter bus full of supporters and Iowa Donor Network employees will be on hand to answer questions. 

The Brockway Family will be watching the race from Joey's pit with some special guests. The recipient of Mary Gase's kidney, Jordan Shaw, will be joined by the recipient of Garrett's pancreas, Leslie Becker. All will be available for interviews prior to the race. 

To register to be a donor or for more information visit www.IowaDonorNetwork.org.