Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Travis Pastrana

How Travis Pastrana built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Travis Pastrana is an American professional athlete celebrated for his achievements in freestyle motocross, rally racing, NASCAR, and stunt work. He gained fame in the early 2000s, securing multiple X Games gold medals and pioneering achievements in freestyle motocross, notably landing the first double backflip in competition in 2006. Before his freestyle career, Pastrana excelled in motorcycle racing, claiming titles in AMA Motocross and Supercross 125cc divisions in 2000 and 2001.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1999: Gold at X Games and Gravity Games

In 1999, after his gold medal performance at the X Games, Travis Pastrana clinched the gold at the inaugural Gravity Games in Rhode Island.

1999: Travis Pastrana Debuts in AMA Motocross Championship

In late 1999, Travis Pastrana debuted in the AMA Motocross Championship.

2000: Youngest 125cc National Title Winner

In 2000, Travis Pastrana won the 125cc national title, becoming the youngest to do so at 16 years old. He also competed in the AMA Supercross Championship 125cc East Coast class in 2000, but did not win.

2000: Travis Pastrana Wins AMA Motocross Title

In 2000, Travis Pastrana won the AMA Motocross 125cc title.

2001: Secured 125cc East Coast Title

In 2001, Travis Pastrana secured the 125cc East Coast title in the AMA Supercross Championship.

2001: Travis Pastrana wins AMA Supercross title

In 2001, Travis Pastrana won the AMA Supercross 125cc title.

2002: Best Season in 250cc Class

In 2002, Travis Pastrana achieved his best season in the AMA Supercross Championship's 250cc class, ranking 16th.

2003: Rallying Career Begins

In 2003, Travis Pastrana began his rallying career at the Race of Champions.

2003: Nitro Circus Co-founded

In 2003, Travis Pastrana co-founded Nitro Circus, an entertainment brand that produces live shows, television series, and films featuring extreme stunts and action sports performances.

2003: Winning Streak Ends

In 2003, Travis Pastrana's winning streak, which began at the World Freestyle Motocross Championship at the age of fourteen, came to an end.

2004: Drives for Subaru-backed Vermont SportsCar rally team

In 2004, Travis Pastrana began driving for the Subaru-backed Vermont SportsCar rally team.

2005: Final Year in AMA Supercross Championship's 250cc Class

2005 marked Travis Pastrana's final year competing in the AMA Supercross Championship's 250cc class.

August 5, 2006: X Games Gold Medal in Rally Car Competition

On August 5, 2006, Travis Pastrana won the gold medal in the first rally car competition at the X Games, defeating Colin McRae.

October 16, 2006: Monster Jam Debut

On October 16, 2006, Travis Pastrana debuted in Monster Jam, driving the "Pastrana 199" monster truck, owned by Live Nation/FELD Motorsports and sponsored by Pastrana.

October 22, 2006: Rally America National Series Victory

On October 22, 2006, Travis Pastrana and Christian Edstrom clinched the Rally America National series overall and open class championship, making Pastrana the youngest ever American rally champion.

December 13, 2006: Subaru Rally Team USA Announces WRC Plans

On December 13, 2006, Subaru Rally Team USA announced plans to enter Travis Pastrana in certain World Rally Championship events in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

2006: First double backflip

In 2006, Travis Pastrana became the first person to land a double backflip in competition.

2006: Final Gravity Games

In 2006, Travis Pastrana won five gold medals at the Gravity Games which had its final showing in the same year.

February 19, 2007: Edstrom Announces Sabbatical

On February 19, 2007, Travis Pastrana's longtime co-driver Christian Edstrom announced a sabbatical.

September 26, 2007: Skydiving Stunt over Arecibo

On September 26, 2007, Travis Pastrana jumped out of an airplane over Arecibo, Puerto Rico, without a parachute, meeting up with another jumper in midair for a safe tandem landing.

2007: Raced three P-WRC events

In the 2007 season, Travis Pastrana raced three P-WRC events in the Group N class, driving a Subaru Impreza WRX STI–based rally car. He finished fifth in his first world rally at the 21º Corona Rally México, tenth in Rally Argentina, and eleventh in Rally GB. He described his season as having gone "horribly".

March 15, 2008: Debut with Team Puerto Rico

On March 15, 2008, Travis Pastrana debuted with Team Puerto Rico, qualifying for the finals and finishing third behind Roberto Castro and Erick Vallejo.

September 2008: Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally

In September 2008, Travis Pastrana participated in the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally with Derek Ringer as his co-driver, driving the Ford Escort RS1600 in memory of Colin McRae.

2008: P-WRC Season

Travis Pastrana's 2008 season in the P-WRC was not successful, with a retirement following a crash on stage one of Rally Argentina and one thirteenth place on the Acropolis Rally.

August 29, 2009: Fifth Ojibwe Forests Rally Victory and Fourth Rally America Title

On August 29, 2009, Travis Pastrana claimed the overall victory at Ojibwe Forests Rally, securing his fourth consecutive Rally America driver's title.

2009: Nitro Circus Truck Name Change

During the 2009 World Finals, the "Pastrana 199" monster truck changed its name to "Nitro Circus", with Pastrana competing in the freestyle segment.

2009: Nitro Circus Premieres on MTV

In 2009, "Nitro Circus", a television show of which Travis Pastrana is an executive producer, premiered on MTV. It features dangerous stunts and is a spin-off of MTV's "Jackass".

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January 1, 2010: New World Record in Ramp-to-Ramp Car Jump

On January 1, 2010, Travis Pastrana set a new world record in a ramp-to-ramp car jump, jumping his Subaru rally car 269 feet onto a barge in Long Beach, and then celebrated by performing a gainer into the harbor.

February 27, 2010: Nitro Circus Monster Truck Backflip

On February 27, 2010, Cam McQueen successfully executed a backflip in the Nitro Circus monster truck during the freestyle competition in Jacksonville, Florida, making him the first to do so in competition.

June 2010: Prelude to the Dream Charity Dirt Track Race

In June 2010, Travis Pastrana entered the Prelude to the Dream charity dirt track race at Eldora Speedway in a No. 199 Subaru, finishing 23rd after starting 15th.

September 2010: Fastest Ascent of Mount Washington

In September 2010, Travis Pastrana set the world record for fastest ascent of Mount Washington in a car, with a time of 6 minutes, 20.47 seconds, using his Subaru WRX STi.

June 2011: Mount Washington Ascent Record Broken

In June 2011, David Higgins set a new record for the ascent of Mount Washington in a car, with a time of six minutes, 11.54 seconds, using the same Subaru WRX STi model as Pastrana.

2011: Global RallyCross Championship

In 2011, Travis Pastrana began competing in the Global RallyCross Championship.

2011: NASCAR Debut and Injuries

In 2011, Travis Pastrana debuted in NASCAR at the Toyota All-Star Showdown, finishing sixth. He also participated in Denny Hamlin's Short Track Showdown but crashed. His plans to compete in the Nationwide Series were cancelled due to injuries at the X-Games.

2011: Retirement of the Nitro Circus Monster Truck

The "Nitro Circus" monster truck made its final appearance and was retired after the 2011 Monster Jam season.

April 27, 2012: Nationwide Series Debut

On April 27, 2012, Travis Pastrana made his Nationwide Series debut, finishing 22nd at the Richmond 250 driving the No. 99 Toyota Camry. He also made one start in the Camping World Truck Series for ThorSport Racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, driving their No. 98 Toyota to a fifteenth place finish despite a spin early in the race.

November 2012: Full-Season Ride with Roush Fenway Racing

In November 2012, Travis Pastrana arranged a full-season ride for 2013 in the Nationwide Series with Roush Fenway Racing.

2012: 24 Hours of Daytona

In 2012, Travis Pastrana competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona for AF Waltrip, with Michael Waltrip, Rob Kauffman, and Rui Águas. Their Ferrari 458 finished 35th overall.

November 11, 2013: Leaving NASCAR

On November 11, 2013, Travis Pastrana announced he would be leaving NASCAR at the end of the 2013 season, citing a lack of sponsorship, frustration regarding his performance, and a desire to spend time with his family as the reasons for his decision.

2013: 2013 NASCAR Season

In 2013, Travis Pastrana drove the No. 60 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing in the Nationwide Series, posting four top-ten finishes with a best finish of ninth at Richmond International Raceway. He won his first career pole position at Talladega Superspeedway, but was involved in a late crash. He finished the season with four top tens and a fourteenth place points finish.

2013: Third-Place Finish at Las Vegas

In 2013, Travis Pastrana finished third at Las Vegas in the Global RallyCross Championship.

October 3, 2014: Red Bull Straight Rhythm Competition

On October 3, 2014, Travis Pastrana competed in the inaugural Red Bull Straight Rhythm competition on a Suzuki RM-Z 450 with a Honda CR500 engine swap, dubbed the RM-Zilla, but was eliminated early.

September 23, 2015: Comeback to NASCAR

On September 23, 2015, Travis Pastrana announced his return to NASCAR, signing a one-race deal with NTS Motorsports to race in the Truck Series race at Las Vegas.

July 2017: Pastrana Retakes Mount Washington Record

In July 2017, Travis Pastrana retook the record for the ascent of Mount Washington, driving his Subaru WRX STi up the mountain in 5 minutes, 44.72 seconds.

2017: Returned to Truck Series

Travis Pastrana returned to the Truck Series in 2017, driving the No. 45 Chevrolet for Niece Motorsports at Las Vegas.

July 8, 2018: Evel Knievel Tribute Jumps

On July 8, 2018, Travis Pastrana paid tribute to Evel Knievel by safely clearing three record-breaking jumps in Las Vegas, consisting of 52 cars, 16 buses, and the Caesars Palace Fountain, totaling 484 feet.

2018: Americas Rallycross Championship

In 2018, Travis Pastrana entered round 2 of the Americas Rallycross Championship at Austin, finishing fourth.

2018: Return to Motocross of Nations with Team Puerto Rico

In 2018, Travis Pastrana returned to the Motocross of Nations as part of Team Puerto Rico with Kevin Windham and Ryan Sipes, raising money and awareness after Hurricane Maria in 2017.

September 17, 2020: Las Vegas Race Announcement

On September 17, 2020, it was announced that Travis Pastrana would run the Las Vegas race again with Niece, marking his first time making more than one Truck start in a season.

2020: Circuit 199 and Nitro Rallycross Series

In 2020, Travis Pastrana announced plans to construct Circuit 199, but it was shelved. He created the Nitro Rallycross series as an expansion of the discipline's participation in the Nitro World Games.

2020: Pastrana Joins Miss GEICO Racing Team

In 2020, Travis Pastrana expanded his motorsport career by joining the Miss GEICO Racing Team, piloting a 47-foot catamaran alongside Steve Curtis.

August 2021: Pastrana Surpasses Mount Washington Record

In August 2021, Travis Pastrana surpassed his July 2017 record for the ascent of Mount Washington by more than 16 seconds, with a time of 5 minutes, 28.67 seconds in his 862 hp “Airslayer” 2020 Subaru WRX STI.

2021: Nitro Rallycross Champion

In 2021, Travis Pastrana became the Nitro Rallycross champion, winning two races and claiming the tiebreaker over Scott Speed.

2022: World Champion in Class 1 World Powerboat Championship

In 2022, Travis Pastrana and Steve Curtis became world champions in the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship.

2022: UIM Class 1 World Championship Title

In 2022, Travis Pastrana and Steve Curtis secured the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) Class 1 World Championship title with the Huski Chocolate Racing Team.

January 13, 2023: 23XI Racing Teases Pastrana's Daytona 500 Entry

On January 13, 2023, 23XI Racing teased the entry of a third car in the Daytona 500, with a video that hinted at Travis Pastrana as the driver, which was later reported by The Athletic.

July 2023: Powerboat P1 Sarasota Grand Prix

In July 2023, Travis Pastrana participated in the Powerboat P1 Sarasota Grand Prix with the Pothole Heroes/Alegra Racing team, copiloted by John Tomlinson, despite reducing offshore racing commitments.

2023: Inducted into AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

In 2023, Travis Pastrana was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

February 2024: Extreme E Debut

In February 2024, Travis Pastrana substituted for Jimmie Johnson in Legacy Motor Club's Extreme E team for the first two rounds of the season, partnering with Gray Leadbetter. The team finished sixth in Rounds 1 and 2 at the Desert X-Prix.