Speedster Travis Pastrana Of Anne Arundel Posts Impressive Run At NASCAR's Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Annapolis native Travis Pastrana is a thrill seeker. His death-defying stunts earned him a reputation as a world-class action sports star, but the 11-time X Games gold medalist tried out a new thrill this Sunday.

Pastrana raced in the Daytona 500.

The 39-year-old is most famous for his dirt bike racing and stunt driving, so this interest in NASCAR surprised many fans.

Pastrana fought to the very end of the "Great American Race." After starting dead last in 40th place, he clawed his way to the front.

Pastrana even led for two laps before falling back in the pack again.

The race went into overtime after a crash drew a caution flag in the final laps of regulation.

Pastrana climbed back up to 9th place before he crashed in lap 212, which was the 12th lap of overtime. Aric Almirola's Ford clipped Pastrana's Toyota, which led to a multi-car wreck.

Pastrana finished in 11th place when NASCAR called the race after that accident.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was in the lead when the caution lights went on, making him the winner of the 65th running of the Daytona 500. Joey Logano came in second, and Christopher Bell took third.

This was the longest-ever Daytona 500 by distance thanks to the 30 miles raced in overtime.

"Dude, how cool was that? Coming to the line with one lap to go and in the hunt," Pastrana said after the race, according to the Associated Press.

Pastrana qualified for the Daytona 500 last Wednesday, earning one of the race's four open spots reserved for non-charter teams.

Pastrana drove for the 23XI Racing team in the No. 67 car, which was sponsored by Black Rifle Coffee Company.

23XI Racing is owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan and NASCAR star Denny Hamlin, the Associated Press reported.

Pastrana was the second-fastest open driver and the 25th-fastest overall in qualifying.

NASCAR said Wednesday was the first time that Pastrana ever drove a car designed for its Cup Series, which is the association's highest level.

Pastrana in 2013 raced full-time in the Xfinity Series, NASCAR's second-tier circuit. NASCAR said he similarly dabbled in its truck races.

Pastrana also returned to truck racing this weekend after a hiatus since 2020.

He finished in 13th place in Friday's NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway. He started the rain-shortened race in 25th place out of 36 trucks.

Despite his run at Daytona, Pastrana will not be a regular participant in NASCAR races.

"The amount of time it would take right now, I'm trying to slow down," Pastrana said, according to the Associated Press. "The reason I'm here is because I felt like this was the best I've ever been as a driver. We've been winning championships in the dirt. I just wanted to experience the whole Daytona speedweeks."

Pastrana is known locally for jumping over Annapolis' Ego Alley in a car. A video of that October 2020 stunt is posted here.

He also leaped over the Caesar's Palace fountain on a dirt bike in 2018, soared over 269 feet of water in 2009 and skydived without a parachute in 2007.

A full recap of the Daytona 500 is posted here. Readers can also check out the Associated Press' full feature story on Pastrana at this link.

Related:

• NASCAR's Daytona 500 Will Feature Annapolis Native Travis Pastrana
• Stunt Driver Jumps Over Annapolis' Ego Alley: Video