MD Stuntman Travis Pastrana Will Race In NASCAR's Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Annapolis native Travis Pastrana will race this Sunday in the Daytona 500. Dubbed the "Great American Race," the Daytona 500 is NASCAR's most famous competition.

Pastrana is an action sports star and an 11-time X Games gold medalist. He is most famous for his dirt bike racing and stunt driving. This will be Pastrana's biggest leap into stock car racing.

"Qualifying for the 500, this is literally a dream come true," Pastrana said in an interview with FOX Sports, thanking his family, friends and sponsors. "This is bigger than big. Thank you so much."

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

The 39-year-old 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.

Pastrana in 2013 raced full-time in the Xfinity Series, NASCAR's second-tier circuit. NASCAR said Pastrana also dabbled in its truck races, last participating in 2020. All of Pastrana's NASCAR stats are available at this link.

This Wednesday, Pastrana qualified for one of the four open spots in the Daytona 500. These spots are reserved for non-charter teams.

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

That means he will start the race in last place among the 40 drivers. The full starting order is listed here.

Pastrana will drive the No. 67 Toyota, which is sponsored by Black Rifle Coffee Company.

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.

The 65th running of the Daytona 500 will air Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on FOX.

Related: Stunt Driver Jumps Over Annapolis' Ego Alley: Video