Considering he was just out to check a box off his career bucket list, could an 11th-place finish in Sunday’s Daytona 500 tempt icon Travis Pastrana to leave behind the motorsports and Rally Cars for a future in the NASCAR Cup Series?
Not a chance, Pastrana said.
As he continues to “slow down,” the 39-year-old will pursue less stressful pastimes.
Like jumping out of airplanes without a parachute.
Travis Pastrana Suffers OT Crash During Daytona 500
For a brief moment near the end of “The Great American Race,” Pastrana, who qualified as an “open” entrant, appeared he would finish in the top five.
At the final re-start, Pastrana and 23XI Racing teammate Bubba Wallace were set up to make a run. Utilizing a draft, Pastrana started moving up through the depleted field.
Until …
Aric Almirola bumped Pastrana, whose machine took out Jimmie Johnson and ignited a multi-car collision, leading to Ricky Stenhouse Jr. claiming the longest Daytona 500 in history under caution.
While a top five slipped away, Pastrana told motorsport.com:
“This exceeded all of my expectations as far as results. These are the best drivers in the world. I’m not a great rear-wheel driver, I’m not a great pavement driver. Restrictor plate racing is a little different.”
Considering he finished second to Christopher Bell among Toyota drivers, Pastrana contended he’s not tempted to return.
The Daytona 500 bucket list is checked.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙣. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙮𝙩𝙝. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙙.@DAYTONA 500 is a bucket list item for @TravisPastrana!😤#TeamToyota #ForwardTogether | @blckriflecoffee pic.twitter.com/czLE7mUpFn
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) January 17, 2023
Pastrana On Returning To Daytona 500: ‘One And Done’
Pastrana reiterated his stance on resisting the urge to enter NASCAR full-time at this stage of his career.
“One and done,” he said.
This, from the motorsports specialist who captured the first three Moto X Freestyle events during the X Games (1999-2001). The second Gold medal featured a motorcycle backflip, causing Pastrana to break his foot.
This, from a racer who led two laps during Sunday’s Daytona 500.
It was by mistake, he admitted, but still, he’s in the books.
“This exceeded all my expectations as far as result,” Pastrana said. “I’m not good enough to be the best at this sport with my skill set. The amount of time that this would take right now and I’m trying to slow down.”
Slow down?
This, from a racer who entered the Daytona 500 after placing 13th during Friday’s Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway and competed in a dirt racing event at Volusia Speedway Park.
At least he wore a seat belt.
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