Categories: This Day

October 8, 1983 – Motorsports racer & entertainer Travis Pastrana is born

You may know him from winning the first ever X Games MotoX Freestyle event in 1999? Maybe it was his multiple motorcross racing championships? Or you follow his lively rally racing career. Perhaps, you just know him as the host of Nitro Circus. One way or another, if you’re a fan of things with wheels, you’ve probably heard of Travis Pastrana, who was born on this day in 1983.

While Pastrana earned his reputation on two wheels, he’s no stranger to all types of vehicles. He has participated in the Global RallyCross Championship, NASCAR Xfinity Series, Monster Jam or other series revolving around supercross, motocross, freestyle motocross, and rally racing. Of course, he’s also fond of non car related stunts. Remember when he jumped out of a plane without a parachute

?

Above: Pastrana driving a classic Ford Escort Mk1 at the 2008 Colin McRae Forest Stages. By sandyseek CC BY 2.0. Top: Pastrana at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2015. By Rob Street – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Travis Pastrana has also broken numerous motorsports and stunt records, including a few set by his childhood hero, Evel Knievel. In 2018 made three jumps in Las Vegas in one night, ending with a flyover of the Caesar’s Palace Fountain. When Evel tried the same jump decades prior he ended up with a broken pelvis and femur. Pastrana landed the 149 foot jump on live TV.

Brian Corey

Recent Posts

March 26, 1879 – Othmar Ammann, NYC bridge designer, is born

Othmar Ammann may not be a familiar name to most, but if you live in…

4 days ago

The History of the Arizona Automotive Industry

Lucid Air by Mr.choppers - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=138255918 Arizona may not be…

4 days ago

March 25, 1930 – Larry Shinoda, designer of Corvettes and Mustangs, is born

Larry Shinoda (Ford) Lawrence Kiyoshi Shinoda was born on March 25, 1930, in Los Angeles,…

5 days ago

March 19, 1999 – Ford establishes Premier Automotive Group

2000 Land Rover Discovery, from the year Ford purchased Land Rover. Ford Motor Company's Premier…

2 weeks ago

March 18, 1858 – Rudolf Diesel’s birthday

On this day in 1858 Rudolf Diesel, would later patent the type of engine by…

2 weeks ago

March 17, 2006 – The last Chevrolet SSR is built

On March 17, 2006, Chevrolet built the last example of one of the most unconventional…

2 weeks ago