Racing legend Travis Pastrana will try to qualify for his first NASCAR Cup Collection Race at subsequent month’s Daytona 500. Pastrana is making an attempt to earn an open qualifying spot (considered one of 4 out there) in NASCAR’s greatest race of the season, and his try shall be behind the wheel of 23XI Racing’s No. 67 Toyota Camry.
“Attempting to earn one of many only a few remaining spots in qualifying for the largest race I’ve ever had the chance to compete in is not going to be a straightforward activity,” Pastrana mentioned. “However I’m assured the 23XI group will give me a automobile that belongs within the present and actually consider I’ve the talents to get it there.”
Pastrana is a motorsports legend on each two and 4 wheels with victories in supercross, motocross and rally racing. His resume consists of 11 gold medals in moto and rally automobile occasions on the X Video games. Pastrana additionally created the Nitro RallyCross collection in 2018 and is the collection’ reigning champion.
This isn’t his first foray into inventory automobile racing. Fairly the alternative, as Pastrana has 42 begins within the NASCAR Xfinity Collection and 5 begins within the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Collection, although he has not raced in any NASCAR collection since 2020.
“My first supercross win got here at Daytona after I was 16 years previous, and I certified third at Daytona for the Xfinity collection in 2013,” Pastrana mentioned. “That race didn’t find yourself effectively, however I used to be in a position to end tenth regardless of the actual fact I crossed the end line backward by means of the infield grass at 180mph.”
23XI Racing was based by NBA legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin in 2020. The group presently fields two vehicles within the Cup Collection with Bubba Wallace piloting the No. 23 Toyota Camry and Tyler Reddick within the No. 45 Toyota Camry.
“He is likely one of the most well-known and well-decorated motion sports activities athletes of all time, and we’re trying ahead to serving to him in his quest to race within the Daytona 500,” mentioned Steve Lauletta, 23XI Racing president.
Qualifying for the Daytona 500 begins on February 15, with the race scheduled for February 19 at 2:30 p.m. (ET). Pastrana is seeking to earn a spot within the race and amongst his competitors from non-chartered groups is seven-time NASCAR Cup Collection champion Jimmie Johnson who’s popping out of retirement to race with Legacy Motor Membership.
This text, written by David P. Castro, was initially revealed on ClassicCars.com, an editorial companion of Motor Authority.