[terrehautian]

CORNELIUS, N.C. - Travis Pastrana is coming to NASCAR in 2011 After mining gold medals in the X Games, shattering jump records on both motorcycles and automobiles and starring as a cultural icon for the action sports world, the star of MTV's "Nitro Circus" is ready to turn his attention to America's most popular form of motorsports – NASCAR. Michael Waltrip Racing, Gary and Blake Bechtel and Pastrana announced today the creation of Pastrana-Waltrip Racing that will field cars in the NASCAR Nationwide Series beginning in 2011. Pastrana-Waltrip Racing will focus on creating programs that expose the action sports world's fans and participants to NASCAR and develop youth marketing initiatives designed to create greater awareness of both sports. Initial plans are for Pastrana to compete in seven NASCAR Nationwide races in 2011 and twenty races in 2012. "I've been following NASCAR closely for years as a fan of the sport with competing in the sport a life-long dream," Pastrana said. "I decided it was time to try and turn that dream into reality and with the help of the Bechtel family, Michael Waltrip Racing and Wasserman media group I'm now one step closer!" Pastrana-Waltrip Racing will field Toyotas out of the Michael Waltrip Racing shop in Cornelius, N.C. Waltrip noted the importance of the youth demographic Pastrana brings to NASCAR. "Travis has built an enormous and unique following all over the world," said Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 champion. "As a race team owner, we are always looking for ways to deliver to our partners and engage our fans better. This is an opportunity to showcase our company and our sport to a new generation of young fans. We're also looking for that next big star. Travis already is one and action sports is full of talented athletes. Having Travis as a part of our program adds another great dimension to our team and NASCAR." Travis Pastrana is one of the most recognized and celebrated athletes in the world. An action sports icon, Pastrana owns 16 X Games gold medals along with multiple supercross, motocross and rally championships in his career. Pastrana also created the Nitro Circus empire, which includes a television show, live tours and a soon-to-be-released feature film. Watch Pastrana announce his NASCAR arrival at www.pastranawaltrip.com andwww.facebook.com/pastranawaltrip and follow us on Twitter at @pwr99. Expect more Pastrana-Waltrip Racing news on schedule, sponsors and youth initiatives in January in Los Angeles.

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http://www.nitrocircus.com/news/view...NASCAR-90.html

Travis is a motocross and rally car driver.

[Wallsracing]

Originally Posted by terrehautian . http://www.nitrocircus.com/news/view...nascar-90.html travis is a motocross and rally car driver.

another field filler to get in the way

[foytfan]

Hope he can handle asphalt better than dirt...... Anyone see the prelude?
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[Onlydirt]

He does pretty good in Rally I think he will do ok....I put money on better than DANICA

[short track scott]

Pastrana would be a great target for Bernard and Indy. American talent with a cult following in the under 34 demographic. Sponsor laden and apparently fearless, he'd bring a new perspective to the Race.

Let him ride the cabs and find out what underpowered overweight racecars really feel like.

I don't think it'll take long to get his belly full of "the nascar way".
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[LocalYokel]

I think its great. Pastrana might have some potential and he will certianly bring a new fanbase to nascar. Better than another kid running on this dads money. Too bad he's teaming up with Michael Waltrip though.

[apexonephoto]

Originally Posted by LocalYokel Better than another kid running on this dads money.

Team owners are Waltrip and Gary Bechtel and his son Blake. It's more like granddads money.

"Bechtel Corporation (Bechtel Group) is the largest engineering company in the United States, ranking as the 5th-largest privately owned company in the U.S. With headquarters in the Financial District of San Francisco,[2] Bechtel had 44,000 employees as of 2009 working on projects in nearly 50 countries with $31.4 billion in revenue."

This could be interesting, with a number of pro's & con's.

PRO'S:
A new "Love him or Hate him" character in the sport.
Large and enthusiastic group of fans he will bring.
CON'S:
Travis has been accused of having a short attention span when trying new things.
Teaming up with a fool like Michael Waltrip

I like the kid & hope he does well but afraid he'll be gone in 3 to 5 years...if not sooner.

[hairracer44]

I like Travis and think he is very talented at what he does. Yes while he has driven rally cars this is just another example that it doesn't matter what your background, experience level or even talent the person that has the money and brings it will be the one driving.

[T&A Racing]

He will get bored real quick.

But maybe not. No one knows what goes on in anyone's head especially his. He is fearless and has talent in everything he pursues. Whether is has success is based on so many things. Many talented racers have existed in all forms of racing but only have marginal success.

I doubt it, but maybe he is starting to think down the road that he can't maintain his level of risk before he is to old or he dies. He has pushed the envelope more than anyone. It wouldn't have taken much for many of his stunts to go seriously wrong.