Pastrana... no more Nascar?

St Ann More
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Edited Date/Time 11/13/2013 6:18pm
This past season of NASCAR has been an awesome experience. I have made a lot of great friends, had a lot of fun and gained a new appreciation for all aspects of this sport. Jack Roush and everyone at Roush Fenway Racing have gone above and beyond to try and help me succeed and I am truly grateful for their support. I would like to thank them and all of the other people who stuck behind me during the last two years as I tried to learn how to make a successful career in NASCAR. Its tough to step back now and prove the critics were right, but unfortunately my results were not good enough to get the sponsors I needed to appropriately fund next season.

My wife Lyn-z has been more then supportive of my foray into NASCAR, often times being my biggest source of encouragement and support. But as my wife had to take a step back from being a professional skater to let me chase my goals in racing, I too need to take a step back and look at my situation as a father and husband. The NASCAR schedule is grueling and takes enormous sacrifices from those you love to make work. With a lack of funding next year, now is my opportunity to sit back and offer support as she chases her goals.

I hate to quit and I hate to fail, but sometimes things work out as they should. I've never been able to figure out the finesse required in pavement racing and that is disappointing, but I'm looking forward to driving more rally and racing more off-road trucks and there will be some announcements on those fronts shortly! My wife is excited to get back to skating on the Nitro Circus Live Tour and I'm excited to spend some quality time with my girls.

Thank you to all my fans for the support and I hope to see each of you at an event in the near future.
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Markee
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11/11/2013 1:43pm
You can't just waltz in to circle track anything. I really hoped to see RC or TP do well but it just didn't happen.
MXD
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11/11/2013 1:46pm
Gotta love his honesty and transparency.
Big E
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11/11/2013 1:52pm
MXD wrote:
Gotta love his honesty and transparency.
^^^^^What he said^^^^^^^^^^^
davistld01
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11/11/2013 1:56pm Edited Date/Time 11/11/2013 1:58pm
Funny TP is the only ex-motocrosser ever to fail at car racing to have the balls to say "I sucked at it, and couldn't get enough sponsors." although that has been the case a lot of times. Gotta hand it to Travis for being the up front guy he is. I've had the pleasure to meet him once briefly, and he seemed like a genuinely cool guy. Props to him too for wanting to be a support to his wife now...and to concentrate on being a great father.

The Shop

BAMX
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11/11/2013 2:46pm
Trying to squeeze .1 of a sec out of one of those cars is a lot harder than most people around here will ever understand. It isn't just about the driving, it is mostly about being able to tell your crew what the car needs in changes. The sad part is that he had the best chance of any of the guys that moto has sent so far. I hope he gets enough support to stay in and get the seat time to get another chance.
11/11/2013 2:46pm
I wish he'd have a serious run at off-road motorcycling.
Crush
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11/11/2013 3:09pm
davistld01 wrote:
Funny TP is the only ex-motocrosser ever to fail at car racing to have the balls to say "I sucked at it, and couldn't get enough...
Funny TP is the only ex-motocrosser ever to fail at car racing to have the balls to say "I sucked at it, and couldn't get enough sponsors." although that has been the case a lot of times. Gotta hand it to Travis for being the up front guy he is. I've had the pleasure to meet him once briefly, and he seemed like a genuinely cool guy. Props to him too for wanting to be a support to his wife now...and to concentrate on being a great father.
Funny cause you could argue he didn't suck at it! Had pace for sure, but does seem like there's more to "just turning left" than most people think.

Good on him tho, Travis does what he wants and does it the best he can. Sounds like he wants to bed a Dad and Husband more than a race car driver, that's a good thing!
RMT
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11/11/2013 3:19pm Edited Date/Time 11/11/2013 3:20pm
Nascar can be really wierd sometimes. The obvious guys might not do that well and then someone you never expected becomes a front runner. I know its very sponsor driven, but Travis did have one of the best, if not the very best of rides out there. He is right, its very much a finesse game and also about keeping your focus the entire race and then peak at the end. You have to make some calls along the way to be there and then execute that last tweak while also having the track position to take advantage of it. I see Travis as a very ADD guy, so he would struggle trying to keep that focus so long and probably got bored and just bulldogged through the rest of the race. That will not work in long races against that type of competition. It seems most of the good Nascar guys are also pilots. I think a pilot and a good Nascar driver would share a lot of the same qualities. Very calm, very focused and able to be a robot behind the stick/wheel for long periods of time.

I know a guy who started racing after college and a divorce in karts and then on into bigger things. He started in Micro sprints and kicked everyone's ass. He then went into IMCA modified's and again, kicked everyone's ass. The last thing he did was find a pavement track 2 hours away and bought a late model to race there. He did all his own work and would scrounge up guys to go help him pit. He once again, kicked everyone's ass and won the track championship. Carl Edwards came in second in points and ran second to my buddy more often than not. He was also an electrical engineer by trade, so I guess he had that type of focus to make it work. Travis and my friend couldn't be two more different people personality wise. I always thought my buddy could have jumped into an ARCA car and ran up front on the superspeeway's. He just didn't have that kind of pocket change to try it.

Good for you Travis and I will always be interested in whatever he is doing in racing. I just hope he doesn't go back to jumping out of planes without a parachute and that kind of stuff.
Bigfoot
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11/11/2013 3:32pm Edited Date/Time 11/11/2013 3:35pm
Hmmm, perhaps he'll return to his idea of doing the Race Across America bicycle race like he'd talked about a year or two ago. How 'bout it Travis, are you gonna challenge Micky D.?
jim598
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11/11/2013 3:52pm
I have raced mx all my life, but I was also around sprint cars as well and raced them for two years. mx racers at the top level are as good as they are because of their drive. it is not all about the bike, we have seen riders overcome crazy thinks (like Magoo's bent straight down left handle bar).. on a motorcycle you can become a champion if you are in great shape, have great reflexis,.great physical skills
In a car everything that made a guy like RC the goat, kinda works against him. cars are all about figuring out what setup you need, figuring out where you car works best, if you notice every fast race car driver is very calm.,to drive one fast you have to be very precise and most importantly if your car is not fast enough you need to just bring it home in one piece and use that experience to make it better next time
davistld01
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11/11/2013 4:08pm Edited Date/Time 11/11/2013 4:09pm
I wish he'd have a serious run at off-road motorcycling.
Dude...can you imagine Pastrana taking on Endurocross or WROC? The guy is fearless, and scary talented.
Ride Smooth
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11/11/2013 4:15pm
Oh man...poor Andy Bell. Does this mean he never gets to cut his hair?

No fail here...just another wild adventure for TP that all of us probably wish we had the opportunity to try. Without a doubt, some good times ahead for Travis fans. Whether on 2 wheels or 4, he's headed back to the dirt and that is great news!
Tbteam
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11/11/2013 4:28pm
14th in the points in his first full year of racing. Pretty damn good.

One thing is for sure... the only time i ever checked the Nationwide Series results was this year to see how Travis did.

Won't happen next year.
ocscottie
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11/11/2013 4:43pm Edited Date/Time 11/11/2013 4:45pm
Oh man...poor Andy Bell. Does this mean he never gets to cut his hair? No fail here...just another wild adventure for TP that all of us...
Oh man...poor Andy Bell. Does this mean he never gets to cut his hair?

No fail here...just another wild adventure for TP that all of us probably wish we had the opportunity to try. Without a doubt, some good times ahead for Travis fans. Whether on 2 wheels or 4, he's headed back to the dirt and that is great news!
Funny little convo going on twitter:

Bytor
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11/11/2013 4:44pm
Tbteam wrote:
14th in the points in his first full year of racing. Pretty damn good. One thing is for sure... the only time i ever checked the...
14th in the points in his first full year of racing. Pretty damn good.

One thing is for sure... the only time i ever checked the Nationwide Series results was this year to see how Travis did.

Won't happen next year.
Seems like more to the story for sure. No way TP199 has trouble finding sponsors.
lostboy819
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11/11/2013 4:47pm
davistld01 wrote:
Funny TP is the only ex-motocrosser ever to fail at car racing to have the balls to say "I sucked at it, and couldn't get enough...
Funny TP is the only ex-motocrosser ever to fail at car racing to have the balls to say "I sucked at it, and couldn't get enough sponsors." although that has been the case a lot of times. Gotta hand it to Travis for being the up front guy he is. I've had the pleasure to meet him once briefly, and he seemed like a genuinely cool guy. Props to him too for wanting to be a support to his wife now...and to concentrate on being a great father.
I agree, I tried shifter kart racing and pavement is a whole new animal but I am sure I sucked at it more than Travis sucked at NASCAR.
malachi177
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11/11/2013 4:50pm
I wish he'd have a serious run at off-road motorcycling.
davistld01 wrote:
Dude...can you imagine Pastrana taking on Endurocross or WROC? The guy is fearless, and scary talented.
Friggin rights!!!...or GNCC
scott_nz
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11/11/2013 4:58pm
Tbteam wrote:
14th in the points in his first full year of racing. Pretty damn good. One thing is for sure... the only time i ever checked the...
14th in the points in his first full year of racing. Pretty damn good.

One thing is for sure... the only time i ever checked the Nationwide Series results was this year to see how Travis did.

Won't happen next year.
Bytor wrote:
Seems like more to the story for sure. No way TP199 has trouble finding sponsors.
His car has run no sponsor for a number of races this year, he has not found the sponsors needed
IWreckALot
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11/11/2013 5:04pm
Tbteam wrote:
14th in the points in his first full year of racing. Pretty damn good. One thing is for sure... the only time i ever checked the...
14th in the points in his first full year of racing. Pretty damn good.

One thing is for sure... the only time i ever checked the Nationwide Series results was this year to see how Travis did.

Won't happen next year.
Bytor wrote:
Seems like more to the story for sure. No way TP199 has trouble finding sponsors.
I don't get into the Nascar scene but it seems like they're more results driven and less character. I don't doubt what he says. Especially when you read the article. He offered no excuses and was just thankful for the opportunity. And if he wasn't being honest, I'm sure it's more about supporting his wife and kids. Either way, you can't find anything bad to say about Travis' character.
Hattica77
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11/11/2013 5:10pm
Too bad, he has a lot of talent and speed. There is a ton of competition in that series, fast vets and talented new guys with race car backgrounds. Him and Ricky did pretty well, they just don't get enough time now a days. They don't give rides away in that sport that is for sure. If you want to make it, you have to show you have the speed to win races AND bring the car home (10th-15th) when you don't.

Loved watching him out there!
JoJmoto
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11/11/2013 5:33pm
davistld01 wrote:
Funny TP is the only ex-motocrosser ever to fail at car racing to have the balls to say "I sucked at it, and couldn't get enough...
Funny TP is the only ex-motocrosser ever to fail at car racing to have the balls to say "I sucked at it, and couldn't get enough sponsors." although that has been the case a lot of times. Gotta hand it to Travis for being the up front guy he is. I've had the pleasure to meet him once briefly, and he seemed like a genuinely cool guy. Props to him too for wanting to be a support to his wife now...and to concentrate on being a great father.
Agreed....Iike Trav !
WhipMeister
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11/11/2013 5:53pm
To be successful there's way more to be done on the phones and airplanes on Tuesday-Thursday to engage those sponsors as there is on the weekend behind the wheel. It's nonstop and it's a grind and they all want to meet the driver. I've been close to a top racing organization (Raymond Beadle) and couldn't believe how hard he worked on selling all week long. Driving was the easy part. Once you pay your dues and have some success it gets easier. But not until then.
Flatliner
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11/11/2013 6:02pm
malachi177 wrote:
Friggin rights!!!...or GNCC
I could totally see him in gncc races. He's 30 now, lots of time if he wants to go that road. I don't blame him one bit for not wanting to miss the "baby" phase his child is in. It's over so fast. If I would have had the means I wouldn't have worked those years either.
Shawn142
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11/11/2013 6:08pm
I wish he'd have a serious run at off-road motorcycling.
davistld01 wrote:
Dude...can you imagine Pastrana taking on Endurocross or WROC? The guy is fearless, and scary talented.
malachi177 wrote:
Friggin rights!!!...or GNCC
The dude can barely walk because of motorcycles and you want him to race again a professional level? He's in his early 30s and broken beyond repair, he needs a cage and 4 wheels.
malachi177
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11/11/2013 6:22pm
davistld01 wrote:
Dude...can you imagine Pastrana taking on Endurocross or WROC? The guy is fearless, and scary talented.
malachi177 wrote:
Friggin rights!!!...or GNCC
Shawn142 wrote:
The dude can barely walk because of motorcycles and you want him to race again a professional level? He's in his early 30s and broken beyond...
The dude can barely walk because of motorcycles and you want him to race again a professional level? He's in his early 30s and broken beyond repair, he needs a cage and 4 wheels.
You see him at Erzberg a few years ago? How about running the Baja on a stock DRZ400, winning his class until he sucked some feshfesh into the engine with about 100 or so miles left. Yes I'd love to see him race outdoors. Not Moto or FMX but offroad. He's got the skills and seems to keep in on two wheels. I'm not saying full time but racing a few rounds would be epic.
gt80rider
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11/11/2013 8:21pm
here's hoping he runs LOORS or TORC next year.... where his 4 wheel prowess and off-road talent can really shine..
hammertime
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11/11/2013 8:33pm
davistld01 wrote:
Dude...can you imagine Pastrana taking on Endurocross or WROC? The guy is fearless, and scary talented.
malachi177 wrote:
Friggin rights!!!...or GNCC
Shawn142 wrote:
The dude can barely walk because of motorcycles and you want him to race again a professional level? He's in his early 30s and broken beyond...
The dude can barely walk because of motorcycles and you want him to race again a professional level? He's in his early 30s and broken beyond repair, he needs a cage and 4 wheels.
no shit. his dirt biking days are long over....plus, there's not TP type money around on two wheels anymore outside of being a top 3 sx'er.
Shawn142
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11/11/2013 8:43pm
malachi177 wrote:
Friggin rights!!!...or GNCC
Shawn142 wrote:
The dude can barely walk because of motorcycles and you want him to race again a professional level? He's in his early 30s and broken beyond...
The dude can barely walk because of motorcycles and you want him to race again a professional level? He's in his early 30s and broken beyond repair, he needs a cage and 4 wheels.
malachi177 wrote:
You see him at Erzberg a few years ago? How about running the Baja on a stock DRZ400, winning his class until he sucked some feshfesh...
You see him at Erzberg a few years ago? How about running the Baja on a stock DRZ400, winning his class until he sucked some feshfesh into the engine with about 100 or so miles left. Yes I'd love to see him race outdoors. Not Moto or FMX but offroad. He's got the skills and seems to keep in on two wheels. I'm not saying full time but racing a few rounds would be epic.
If you watched Erzberg then you know he didn't keep it on 2 wheels. No one does. Last update I heard about his health is he has a mostly non-functional foot that swells up like a grapefruit in high altitude pressure of a plane and knees that can rotate around like a shoulder socket. His injuries will make him crippled far earlier than any normal person and one good hard crash pushing the edge in an off-road event will accelerate things that much more. I guess it's a great pipe dream but the reality is Travis should and is starting to take his health seriously. And good on him for it. I personally hope he never turns another lap in anger and enjoys some injury free days because of it.
Hoges
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11/11/2013 11:03pm
Thread hijack!

From what has been mentioned around the traps on these other threads, Two Two motorsports is starting a new pro circuit team with a kaw/husky/honda/yamaha super hybrid bike with a team of about 40 new riders ( this is going to be a force to be reckoned with!).

I am just throwing it out there with the ten different bike manufacturers that 22 is running there has to be room for one more rider?

Whatever travis does, I am sure he will be awesome at it!!
bradnelson
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11/12/2013 4:24am
Hattica77 wrote:
Too bad, he has a lot of talent and speed. There is a ton of competition in that series, fast vets and talented new guys with...
Too bad, he has a lot of talent and speed. There is a ton of competition in that series, fast vets and talented new guys with race car backgrounds. Him and Ricky did pretty well, they just don't get enough time now a days. They don't give rides away in that sport that is for sure. If you want to make it, you have to show you have the speed to win races AND bring the car home (10th-15th) when you don't.

Loved watching him out there!
I agree Andy. You can't expect these guys to just jump into Nascar and start dominating within a few months. Its sooo much different than what they have been doing all their lives. And the competition, HAS been doing it all their lives. They both had some great moments, but 2 or 3 years behind the wheel isn't enough time, IMHO. Plus, even the top NASCAR teams are struggling to get or hold on to sponsors. Just like our sport, the teams are hurting.

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