You probably don’t have to tell Travis Pastrana that he’s a little bit crazy.
The X-Games and American Rally Champion, motorcycle star and stunt driver is attempting to earn another X-Game title while moving up to debut in the NASCAR’s Nationwide series this month.
“Starting as soon as the X-Games are over, full effort goes in (NASCAR),” said the daredevil.
But first, Pastrana is using the NASCAR K&N Pro Series as a stepping stone, just like Ricky Carmichael, the AMA Supercross and Motocross champion, and Cole Whitt, the USAC midget and sprint car star, are.
That stepping stone this weekend is at the one-mile New Hampshire Motor Speedway where the Sprint Cup cars will race on Sunday.
“Yesterday was the first time here, but I felt the best I’ve felt on any course right off the bat,” said Pastrana.
“We weren’t so good out of the truck and I just kept driving and driving thinking, ‘Let’s try to get some practice on this course.’ I’m learning a lot every weekend and every race.
“Unfortunately, there’s a lot more to learn. I felt like we really had a good car and a good chance at a top-5 qualifying time. But, again I kind of choked on the qualifying run and bounced it off the wall coming out of (turn) two.
“It’s a lot of fun starting from the back, but when you have such a good car I’d like to see what it feels like starting upfront just one time.”
Still, Pastrana is optimistic about his future: “I am definitely looking forward to just getting out there and just kind of seeing what it’s all about actually.
“I’ve talked to Ricky Carmichael and I’m like, ‘Man, this has been tough. I’m having a hard time just qualifying to get up to where I feel like we’re running in practice and then we’re starting further back.’ And Ricky is like, ‘Yeah, you should try the Nationwide.’ ”
The effervescent driver is an optimistic realist who is committed to his three-year program at Pastrana Waltrip.
“To say that I’m where I hoped to be, definitely not,” he said. “But, to say that I’m disappointed or discouraged with how everything has gone, definitely not.
“I’ve learned a lot every race and although it doesn’t seem like it from results I feel like I’ve definitely gained a lot of knowledge and still know we have a lot to go.”
The X-Games and American Rally Champion, motorcycle star and stunt driver is attempting to earn another X-Game title while moving up to debut in the NASCAR’s Nationwide series this month.
“Starting as soon as the X-Games are over, full effort goes in (NASCAR),” said the daredevil.
But first, Pastrana is using the NASCAR K&N Pro Series as a stepping stone, just like Ricky Carmichael, the AMA Supercross and Motocross champion, and Cole Whitt, the USAC midget and sprint car star, are.
That stepping stone this weekend is at the one-mile New Hampshire Motor Speedway where the Sprint Cup cars will race on Sunday.
“Yesterday was the first time here, but I felt the best I’ve felt on any course right off the bat,” said Pastrana.
“We weren’t so good out of the truck and I just kept driving and driving thinking, ‘Let’s try to get some practice on this course.’ I’m learning a lot every weekend and every race.
“Unfortunately, there’s a lot more to learn. I felt like we really had a good car and a good chance at a top-5 qualifying time. But, again I kind of choked on the qualifying run and bounced it off the wall coming out of (turn) two.
“It’s a lot of fun starting from the back, but when you have such a good car I’d like to see what it feels like starting upfront just one time.”
Still, Pastrana is optimistic about his future: “I am definitely looking forward to just getting out there and just kind of seeing what it’s all about actually.
“I’ve talked to Ricky Carmichael and I’m like, ‘Man, this has been tough. I’m having a hard time just qualifying to get up to where I feel like we’re running in practice and then we’re starting further back.’ And Ricky is like, ‘Yeah, you should try the Nationwide.’ ”
The effervescent driver is an optimistic realist who is committed to his three-year program at Pastrana Waltrip.
“To say that I’m where I hoped to be, definitely not,” he said. “But, to say that I’m disappointed or discouraged with how everything has gone, definitely not.
“I’ve learned a lot every race and although it doesn’t seem like it from results I feel like I’ve definitely gained a lot of knowledge and still know we have a lot to go.”