Pastrana, one of the best "wheeled sports athletes" the world has ever known, was able to check off one more box on his career checklist: racing in the Daytona 500.
In this year's 500, a whopping six rookies entered the event, with only one of them (Noah Gragson) having previously competed in the biggest race of the year.
Travis Pastrana will be the first driver to climb into the No. 41 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet, driving the truck in the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Friday night.
Forty-one drivers are confirmed to be competing for the 40-car field, with more to come. That could make this one of the more exciting lead-ups to the big race.
Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson will represent the United States in the international Race of Champions and will team with Travis Pastrana in the ROC Nations Cup.