Pastrana started his week on a high note, qualifying on speed and making the Daytona 500. Being locked into the field, he took it easy in the Duels, but still got a piece of a crash that broke out ahead of him.
He then began NASCAR’s crown jewel event from 40th on the grid, and took a cautious approach for most of the event. He led two laps during a cycle of green-flag pit stops, but otherwise remained unseen. However, late in the evening with the checkered flag in sight, Pastrana appeared at the backend of the top-ten.
It looked like he might even come away with a top-five finish in the chaos, but one awkward push on the white flag lap sent him sideways down the track. A massive crash ensued, and Pastrana was in the heart of it. The incident ended the race, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was declared the race winner.
Pastrana regained control of his race car and made it back to the line, still nearly claiming a top-ten in the end. He finished 11th, and was the second-highest finishing rookie behind Riley Herbst in tenth.
“This was one of the greatest if not the greatest weeks or couple of weeks of my life, said Pastrana post-race. “Just coming here and even to go down to Volusia and camping with (Matt) Crafton and all the fans that came down there. Then realizing there were three guys that did the Clash and flew the red eye. These guys just love to drive. The Blocks came here just to watch me qualify and I’ve got all my friends and family here.”
Travis Pastrana, 23XI Racing, Black Rifle Coffee Toyota Camry
Photo by: Gavin Baker / NKP / Motorsport Images
But with all his excitement, also comes exhaustion after an intense week of racing. Along with dirt racing at Volusia and the 500, he also ran the Truck race on Friday night. He finished 13th in that event, which was shortened by rain.
“As excited as I am right now, I might sleep for the next week,” he admitted. “I am mentally and physically completely drained. Even the Truck race, my heart rate was 170 in a three-wide pack. 182 was my high. That’s just on adrenaline. So, anyone that says NASCAR is boring, they’re full of crap. They’ve definitely never been in a car because this was one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done.”
The 39-year-old entered this race with “no expectations,” but by the white flag, he too thought a top-five was a real possibility. To be in contention “exceeded all my expectations,” said Pastrana.
“These are the best…
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