Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

NASCAR: Action sport legend Travis Pastrana finished 6th in series debut

Get the best interest rate
Khatir Soltani
Travis Pastrana didn’t jump over 14 cars to finish sixth in his NASCAR debut, but, it probably felt like it.

Driving the Pastrana-Waltrip Racing K&N West Series car at the Toyota All-Star Showdown, he started 20th and avoided several crashes at the half mile Irwindale Speedway. Then again sometimes he brushed the wall.

“It was absolutely awesome,” said Pastrana an X-Games multiple gold medal winner. “I was just happy not to be a complete road block. I learned a lot. That last green, it was just chaotic, it was four-wide, three-wide. I just have to thank Matt Crafton (spotter) for keeping me out of most of the trouble. It was a lot of fun. It felt like a win.”

Eleven caution flags and three red flags probably had something to do with some of the places he gained in a race run in three segments, ending with a 25-lap shoot-out.

The first 100-lap stint was caution filled and Pastrana lost a number of spots due to a stop for a repair to his right fender. “I found out that I usually overbrake. I’m driving it like a motorcycle or rally car,” he told SpeedTV, adding: “I hope they realize this is not easy.”

The second 100-lap stint was relatively caution free leading to the final stint where Pastrana was running in the top-10.

After a lengthy red-flag for a multi-car crash, there were 11 laps left to the race. That's when Pastrana put his pedal down to the floor. At the white flag he was in a three-wide battle with pole winner Derek Thorn for the sixth spot.

“Hopefully it’s the starting point and we’ll continue to learn from here,” said Pastrana.

Jason Bowles won the race in a Toyota while DJ Kennington, the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion from St. Thomas, Ont., finished second. Jonathon Gomez was third in a Chevrolet. Quebecker Andrew Ranger finished 22nd.

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada