Joey Gase has the drive of a champion. The determined 16-year-old race car driver proved just that at Hawkeye Downs Speedway this summer.
In just his second year in the class, Gase became the track’s youngest late model season points champion by placing fifth in the season finale Friday to claim the crown by 24 points.
Gase, a third generation racer at Hawkeye Downs, entered the season with high expectations and surpassed them.
“It feels really cool,” said Gase, a junior at Cedar Rapids Xavier. “I was just hoping to get the top 5, and we ended up doing a lot better than that. I just hope I can keep on doing good.”
“It seems like everything he’s been doing he’s been accomplishing his goals,” said his father, Bob. “He sets his mind to it and gives 110 percent.”
Gase, who will compete in the Oktoberfest Race Weekend Oct. 8-11 at La Crosse, Wis., was a model of consistency this summer. He had one feature win but finished in the top five in 13 of 15 races, placing no lower than eighth.
“Our main goal was to finish races and then after that to get in the top five every week,” Gase said. “We weren’t just going out for wins.
“I just try to set realistic goals for myself and try as hard as I can. I do whatever I can to reach them.”
The lone win propelled him into the points lead.
“We gained a lot of points in that race,” he said. “Once we got rolling we just basically kept on going.”
Expect his next challenge to come in the American Speed Association. Gase and his dad mentioned competing in the North or Midwest series. He will race at Hawkeye Downs next season but not for a points title.
“He’s looking on to the next step,” Bob Gase said. “Next year he wants to move up and race full time for ASA … and try to win a championship in one of the higher classes.”