Growing up in North Dakota, dirt racing is a familiar passion for many. Noah and Gage Madler are two individuals who not only find passion in dirt racing, but togetherness, as well. The brothers started racing on dirt with motocross bikes when they were six and four years old, respectively. However, after a few too many injuries, they decided to hang up their motocross helmets. Their time away ended with their dad’s suggestion of trying out Legend Car racing after watching them at the local track.
Today, Noah and Gage may be heading in different avenues of life, but their relationship stays close knit through racing alongside one another. “Everything that we want to get into [our dad had] to buy two” Noah explained. Not only have they done the same things, but they have done it together. If one of them moves up a class, they both move up, allowing them to continue racing together.
Their father, Greg Madler, echoed Noah's comment, “I always had to buy two of everything growing up, because they’re the same level all the time.”
With the two of them always being in the same class, they are consistently racing against one another, which does not make it easy for their parents to cheer each of them on to win. Both brothers mentioned their parents are probably just hoping they do not take one another out.
Greg added how frustrated he would be if they wrecked one another instead of settling down and finishing one and two, and had an interesting admission only a parent in his situation might understand.
“I’m rooting for the one to get it that hasn’t got it the last race or two. I don’t think I’ve ever told them that, but if I got to pick somebody to win, that’s what I do."
The one thing that both Noah and Gage focused on is how they do things together. Gage noted, “We’re always in the shop together”. He shared that racing has brought them closer, adding, “[They] get along more with each other.” They might not be doing the same things, but together they are preparing and working in the shop.
When asked what it is like watching the boys work together in the shop Greg exclaimed, “Well, it’s a dream come true, it couldn’t be any more rewarding than it is, they're very competitive, but the support they have for each other is amazing.”
Time together allows for memories to be made. Both have their own most memorable moments during their time on the track with one another. For Noah, there is not just one moment, rather anytime Gage and him are running near one another, and caution comes out, which puts them side by side.
“It’s one of the greatest feelings” Noah expressed about how being next to one another allows the two of them to signal to each on what they are planning to do.
Gage shared there are two specific races, the Night of the Legends race at Dacotah Speedway in 2023 and the Jamestown Stampede race in 2024 that standout in his memory. When reminiscing about the night in 2023, “It would have been my second win in my career, and we both went one and two”. The Jamestown Stampede race also finished in a one and two finish for the brothers.
Memorable moments also come with memorable wins. Ironically, Noah’s memorable win is also from the 2024 Jamestown Stampede. Noah started from the pole and led the entire race. For a few moments he was celebrating a win in his car, but had no idea where Gage finished. Shortly after, Gage came up beside him giving the one-two signal, indicating they finished first and second.
The memorable win did not end there for Noah though, as Gage joined him in victory lane with his car, since the first and second place finishers go to victory lane at Jamestown. The moment turned from Noah winning to getting to celebrate alongside his brother. Being able to celebrate with family is a moment anyone would cherish forever.
Gage’s most memorable win came from a regular night race at Dacotah Speedway at the beginning of this year. Noah was leading the race, with Gage right behind him in second, but on the last lap, he was able to make a pass and take the win. Like most siblings, it is not uncommon for the Madler brothers to experience the thrill of a competitive edge against one another. For Gage, this moment was not only about getting to go to victory lane for himself, but also coming out on top in a classic sibling rivalry.
Going through life together does not always mean doing things in the same way and this could not be accurate for the Madler Brothers when it comes to their driving on the track. “Aggressive, very aggressive” is how Noah described Gage’s driving. Gage admitted he likes to push his car harder and try to go sideways. However, Noah uses more caution when it comes to racing, with Gage describing him as a “smooth” driver. Noah described his ideal track as one that is more technical, where ease on the throttle and awareness are needed.
“I was always working on Gage’s more because he was harder on it, he would wear the brakes faster… but put the same amount of hours [as Noah] on his”, Greg recalled about Gage’s driving style even at a young age on dirt bikes.
Even though they race differently, Greg noted, “They [both] do try to really take care of the equipment out there. And they feel bad if they get beat up and banged up.”
The brothers may race differently, but the drivers they look up to as mentors or for guidance are the same. Fellow Legend Car driver, Preston Martin was the first person both mentioned for locals, following up with more Legend Car drivers, Donovan Wiest and Austin Wiest. “[They] have been doing it for a while, that have always been there whenever we needed help, or someone to push us all the time”, said Noah.
NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Kyle Larson and World of Outlaws Late Model Series Champion, Bobby Pierce, were the two nationally known drivers they both said they look up to. Both mentioned how Larson is just a well-rounded driver, who can drive any kind of car. Gage ironically commented on how Pierce “[does] everything he can to get that win and I just like that mindset”.
Time together is something they enjoy, however, Noah and Gage also have hobbies of their own, completing their unique individualities . Gage can be found playing basketball in the winter, making upgrades to his everyday car, hanging out with friends and completing his final year of high school. Meanwhile, Noah enjoys playing the guitar, going to the gym, creating graphic designs, and working for a tinting business.
With their lives getting busier, one thing will always be there to bring Noah and Gage together: dirt racing. The brothers said racing on dirt will always be their focus, with Gage mentioning that they have talked about racing mods or stock cars. Both agreed asphalt racing would be fun to try, but there are logistics they would have to work around, as there are no asphalt tracks for Legend Cars racing in North Dakota.
Racing and spending time together go hand and hand for the Madler Brothers. It is a joy for their dad to see memories created by his sons, and creating them together. “[The] most important thing is that we’re doing this fun and because we do it as a family and making memories doing it” Greg said.
The lives Noah and Gage live might take them down different paths, bu tthe dirt track will always bring them back together. The moments they share, the memories they create together continue will forever strengthen their bond, carrying them through life until they meet again at the track.