NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Joey Gase Honors Organ Donors From the Track – Speedway Digest

As the engines roar at World Wide Technology Raceway during the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Sept. 6, one NASCAR driver will showcase more than corporate sponsors. Driver Joey Gase is using the opportunity to share his passion for organ donation, decking out his car to bring hope to thousands waiting for the gift of life.

“Organ donation is something that is very personal to me and my family. After my mom died of a sudden brain aneurysm, we knew if my mom could no longer continue her life she would want to do whatever she could to help others continue theirs. We chose to donate her organs, eyes and tissues, which ultimately helped save and improve the lives of 66 people,” said Gase. “Since then, I’ve made it my mission to share the importance of donation with the racing community and honor those affected by it.”

The car is sponsored by Mid-America Transplant, the organization that makes lifesaving organ and tissue transplants possible in eastern and southern Missouri, southwestern Illinois, and northeastern Arkansas.

“Joey has become an important advocate for donation, and we appreciate how he is using his platform to educate others about organ and tissue donation,” said Kevin Lee, President and CEO at Mid-America Transplant. “There are more than 100,000 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, including 1,404 here in the St. Louis region, and every person who joins the donor registry brings them hope that they will one day get their second chance at life.”

At Saturday’s race, Gase’s car will be blue and green, the colors representing organ and tissue donation, and will direct people to register as donors at SayYesGiveLife.org. The hood of the car will be covered in

handprints containing messages of hope written by local donor families. It also features photos of two local donor heroes, Isaac Lashley and Chevy Gall, best friends at Union High School, who both became donors in separate incidents over the past year.

Isaac, a 16-year-old cadet explorer with the Washington Volunteer Fire Department, lost his life in a vehicle accident in October 2024. Chevy, a 16-year-old volunteer firefighter with the Beaufort-Leslie Fire Protection District, was killed in a crash this April while responding to a water rescue call.

“Chevy loved working on cars and was studying auto collision repair at Four Rivers Career Center while apprenticing with Auto Body Brothers,” said Sarah Gall, Chevy’s mother. “It’s really meaningful to honor him and Isaac on the racetrack, and we hope their stories inspire others to make the selfless decision and say yes to organ donation.”

“Isaac had the heart of a servant, and served his community through the Washington Volunteer Fire and volunteering through the Washington High NJROTC program,” said Catie Lashley, Isaac’s mother. “Giving was in his nature, and while we miss our sweet boy more than anything, we’re hopeful because we know

that his final act was giving the gift of life.”

Mid-America Transplant reminds people that it only takes two minutes to register to be an organ and

tissue donor. Register today at  SayYesGiveLife.org.

Joey Gase PE