The Mile’s Youngest Winner Looks to Re-Create The Magic

In June 2019, Levon Van Der Geest made history when at the age of 15, he became the youngest driver to score a win at the famed Milwaukee Mile when he won the Midwest Truck Series race at the facility as part of the Father’s Day 100.

That win led to four other victories in the Midwest Truck Series that year and the series championship, clinching the title before the last race of the season. Now at 19 years old, the Merrill, WI driver credits that win for jumpstarting his racing career.

“That was my first win in the Truck Series. It was a real surreal experience for me because I knew I was a top-five driver in the Truck the year before that,” recalled Van Der Geest. “I started eighth and started going around people on the outside. Next thing I know I’m towards the front and I had a really good battle with Joe Valento for the lead for a number of laps. It was surreal because up to that point I didn’t know I had that in me, to have a battle for the lead like that and win it. It was amazing, especially with it being at the Milwaukee Mile. That’s what really kickstarted my racing career and got me into the scene a little bit.

“With winning the 2019 Truck race at Milwaukee, it’s always a cool place to go back to. That was a really big moment for me in my racing career and something I’ll always remember.”

Levon Van Der Gets celebrates his 2019 Midwest Truck Series win at The Milwaukee Mile. (Racing America photo)

The Kulwicki Driver Development Program finalist dabbled in Super Late Model racing a year later before jumping into it full-time in 2021 with the ASA Midwest Tour and throughout Wisconsin. He has Super Late Model wins in local action, but is searching for that first touring series victory.

He tied his career-best Midwest Tour finish at the Joe Shear Classic at Madison International Speedway in May with the ASA STARS National Tour, but admittedly has otherwise had a trying start to the season. With time to regroup before Milwaukee, he looks forward to the Father’s Day 100.

“I’m really looking forward to it because we’ve had a kind of rough start to the season. As far as ASA is concerned, it’s been good but our other three races we’ve been having trouble. We’ve taken the last week and a half to regroup and we’ve put a lot of work into the car since then. We’re getting it set up to have a good run at The Mile so I’m excited to see if all that will pay off for us.”

The time away from the track has allowed his team to get his No.23 ready for The Mile, which includes preparation that isn’t needed for any other track they run at.

“We’re used to running half-miles and smaller, and some 5/8ths miles like LaCrosse and Kaukauna. But when you go to a track that’s a mile, the aerodynamics become a big part. It’s something we worry about at the smaller tracks but not nearly as much. We have to do a bunch of body bracing and make sure the body doesn’t flex at all. We have to make sure it’s waxed before the race, which is something you usually do just for looks but at The Mile that stuff actually makes a difference. All that little stuff adds up, you’d be surprised at how many little details matter at a big track like that.

The 2023 plans include a chase after the ASA Midwest Tour championship, which sees the Tour join the ASA STARS National Tour for the Gandrud Auto Group 250 at Wisconsin International Raceway in August. He sits 26 points out of the top spot after three races, and is looking forward to the points battle throughout the summer.

“I’m planning on running out the rest of the ASA Midwest Tour schedule for sure. We’re sitting third in points right now behind Gabe Sommers and Justin Mondeik, I’m excited to have a good battle with them throughout the year. I’m hoping to get the title, that would be really big. I’ve watched the ASA Midwest Tour my whole life, going back to ARCA and when it

The ASA STARS National Tour heads to the historic Milwaukee Mile on Sunday, June 18 for the Father’s Day 100 Presented by Hunt Brothers Pizza. Tickets for the Father’s Day 100 are now on sale at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds ticket office, or online by clicking here.

The Father’s Day 100 will be co-sanctioned with the ASA Midwest Tour, which will be the fourth race of the ASA MT season. RJ Braun, Ty Majeski, and Dalton Zehr have won races with the series this season.

The ASA STARS National Tour opened the ten race, six-state schedule at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL on March 11. Gio Ruggiero is the most recent winner, winning his first-career Super Late Model race in the Tar Heel 250 at Hickory Motor Speedway.

For the full ASA STARS National Tour schedule, plus Super Late Model rules and other information, please visit the series website at starsnationaltour.com, or be sure to follow the series on social media (Facebook: STARS National Series | Twitter: @racewithstars | IG: @starsnational).

ASA STARS National Tour
The ASA STARS National Tour debuted in March of 2023 for Super Late Model racing in America. Announced last October, many of the best drivers in America will compete in the ten-race national tour with a minimum $100,000 point fund. The championship team will be guaranteed $25,000.

The ASA STARS National Tour is made up of three races from each of the regional pavement Super Late Model Series under the Track Enterprises banner; the ASA CRA Super Series, the ASA Midwest Tour and the ASA Southern Super Series.

The Team Construction Winner’s Circle program has been announced as a part of the ASA STARS National Tour for licensed drivers/teams with perfect attendance. The program provides additional financial incentives to those teams who support the Series, thanks to Team Construction.

Track Enterprises, a Racing Promotions Company based in Illinois, will operate the ASA STARS National Tour. It announced the acquisition of the CRA sanctioning body in January and followed that up with the purchase of the Midwest Tour in July. In October, Track Enterprises President, Bob Sargent announced a partnership with the Southern Super Series which set the table for the formation of the ASA STARS National Tour.

-ASA STARS National Tour Release
-Photo credit: Will Bellamy/Racing America