It is not often that we see drivers from other elite motorsport classes come to NASCAR to race at the iconic Daytona 500. However, this year is a bit special in this regard. As per the latest reports, a NASCAR insider revealed that a well-known former Red Bull driver, famed for RallyCross and motocross racing, would be racing in this year’s Daytona 500.
It turns out that the driver is none other than Travis Pastrana. He would be racing in the Daytona 500 season opener with Michael Jordan‘s NASCAR team, 23XI Racing. However, this would not be Pastrana’s first rodeo. In the past, he has had experience running full-time in the Xfinity Series. He has even run a few select events in the Truck series. The driver has a lot of racing experience, but not in the Cup Series. In fact, this would be his proper debut in the Cup Series.
NASCAR journalist Jordan Bianchi recently tweeted, “NEWS: Travis Pastrana to enter Daytona 500 in car fielded by 23XI Racing, sources tell @TheAthletic.”
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NEWS: Travis Pastrana to enter Daytona 500 in car fielded by 23XI Racing, sources tell @TheAthletic.https://t.co/vfHWP3r5xt
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) January 13, 2023
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Even more exciting news for NASCAR fans is that Pastrana isn’t going to be the only star power participating in that event. There is Jimmie Johnson, who famously returned to the world of NASCAR after purchasing a minority stake in Petty GMS. Furthermore, there are reports that Brazilian IndyCar icon Helio Castroneves would most probably be lining up on the field alongside everyone else.
Who is Travis Pastrana—the newest entry to the Daytona 500?
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Travis Pastrana is a professional motorsports competitor, widely known for his skills in motocross, rally, and action sports. He began his career as a motocross racer and quickly made a name for himself, winning multiple national championships.
He later transitioned to rally racing and became a dominant force in the sport, winning multiple Rally America National Championships. Additionally, Pastrana has achieved success in other action sports, such as freestyle motocross. He has set numerous world records for stunts performed on both motorcycles and four-wheelers.
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Pastrana is also the founder of Nitro Circus. It is an entertainment company that produces live events and films featuring action sports stunts. The multi-talented motorsports legend is known for his skills in various disciplines and his contributions to the action sports industry. It would certainly be amazing to see him line up alongside seasoned veterans of the sport and go wheel to wheel at the Daytona 500.
