X Games star Travis Pastrana stopped by Dover International Speedway on Sunday to give an update on his recent injury, his future in that sport and he talked about his NASCAR plans, which had to undergone some revisions following his injury.
How are you feeling?
Pastrana: I was really excited to come out here to Dover, it’s kind of like my hometown track and this is the first time I get to see it up close. Just definitely disappointed to not be out there driving, for sure. Boost is jumping on again for next year. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do the races this year but they’re on for the same amount of races for next year. Not
giving the equivalency of NASCAR to start out at Daytona is definitely a disappointment, we won’t be able to run the entire Nationwide Series, but basically looking to see how many we can do. I’m trying to run as many Nationwide, as many K&N -- as many of any kind of car races I can just to get as much experience as I can and driving. I haven’t finalized all the deals for next year. I’m definitely hoping to get more than less.
How is recovery going for you?
Pastrana: Right now, recovery has been going slow but really good, I guess. I get the pins out on Monday, which is always nice. Hopefully all the pins come out and start getting in the pool and be able to get down to the shop a little bit more, drive the iRacing simulator -- do whatever I can to try to get back driving cars as quick as possible.
Are you still looking at 20 Nationwide races for next season?
Pastrana: The goal is definitely the same, to race as much as possible. We’ll just have to work out sponsorship for after the first couple and hopefully those races will go well and we’ll be able to race more than 20. If not, definitely looking forward to running as much of the K&N Series as possible. I haven’t really had anything finalized yet, but my goal is just to get in as
many cars as possible.
Does the disappointment from not being able to make your NASCAR start this year still linger?
Pastrana: Definitely sitting on the sidelines here and not racing, every time I watch a race the disappointment is there. On a positive note, it’s a small positive, but I’m able to watch all the race -- I’m able to watch all the drivers. I actually know a lot more about who runs up front, who runs aggressive, who doesn’t, which drivers stay up there at the end, which drivers tend to qualify well. It’s been a great learning experience, but I would have much rather learning on the track, of course.
Has this injury experience had any influence on the fun and crazy stunts you like to do?
Pastrana: Definitely, to be perfectly honest, that was supposed to be my exit from X-Games. Not exactly the exit I was looking for, but it was still an exit. For me, we finished filming Nitro Circus 3D movie which Waltrip Racing had already helped us with a lot of the projects we did along the way. Kept us all more safe than we would have been on our own with building some of the stuff. For me, that movie is done filming -- I have to do a little bit of press for that starting next year before it comes out in theaters. But other than that, my action sports -- not to say my action sports career is done -- but as far as anything taking risks, I’m definitely going to be in this car and trying to do the best that I can to put my best foot forward.
It was the most disappointing thing in my life, not only to have myself but to have an entire team that was waiting for me and banking on me being in the car and all those guys I’m seeing around the track, they’re all on different teams and it’s tough. Not only did we lose some of the top guys but a lot of friends had to find other work. Definitely something that took to heart and something I don’t ever want to have happen again.
