# How I Went From Afghanistan to GT1 Champion After 18 Years of Fighting for It

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/off-the-racing-line-7290395/how-i-went-from-afghanistan-to-gt1-champion-after-18-years-of-fighting-for-it
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/off-the-racing-line-7290395/how-i-went-from-afghanistan-to-gt1-champion-after-18-years-of-fighting-for-it.md
Podcast: [Off The Racing Line](https://stenobird.com/podcast/off-the-racing-line-7290395)
Published: 2025-11-27T21:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/offtheracingline/episodes/How-I-Went-From-Afghanistan-to-GT1-Champion-After-18-Years-of-Fighting-for-It-e3bgmiv
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/1033f5c88/podcast/play/111745055/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2025-10-26%2F413221191-44100-2-e2f73d94278fa.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/off-the-racing-line-7290395/episodes/how-i-went-from-afghanistan-to-gt1-champion-after-18-years-of-fighting-for-it
Duration seconds: 3463

## Resource

EP20 with Justin Levine: Army veteran. Paratrooper. Attorney. GT1-B racer. Justin’s story isn’t just about cars, it’s about grit, discipline, and the long road to becoming who you’re meant to be. In this episode, Justin walks us through his journey from combat missions in Afghanistan, to surviving law school on a shoestring budget, to using student loans and VA benefits just to afford seat time at HPDE events. He went from a Nissan 350Z at Palm Beach International Raceway… to a Porsche Cup Car fighting for championships in FARA’s GT1-B class. We cover: • Life as a U.S. Army paratrooper in Afghanistan • How track days became his therapy and second mission • Using whatever money he had — including student loans — just to race • Becoming an instructor with NASA & PDG to earn free track time • The slow climb from broke college racer → respected attorney → GT1-B contender • The difference between NASA, ChampCar, and racing in FARA • How discipline, controlled aggression, and courage translate from the military to the race track This is one of the most relatable and motivational stories we’ve captured — proof that success in racing (and in life) is built over years of sacrifice and small steps forward. Whatever your goal or mission is… keep moving forward. 🚗 Sponsored by Velocity Track Experience Track-prepped rentals, full support, expert coaching—all in one arrive-and-drive package. ➡️ https://velocitytrackexperience.com 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more. Website: https://offtheracingline.com/ YT: / @offtheracingline Instagram: / offtheracingline TikTok: / offtheracingline Facebook: / offtheracingline Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-racing-line/id1806756528 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iDQbkts2ggd6aMuN11dbo #Army…

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