One on One with the legend himself, Travis Pastrana
Recently, Red Bull TV dropped a video called “Keys To The Track.” Of course it was another mind bender of a project from the one and only Travis Pastrana.
The video has since gone viral, as you would expect, and it was also featured here on Action Sports Today. But what you didn’t get from the video was the thought process from Travis himself.
Action Sports Today: At what point if ever does your brain stop and reflect on what you’ve created or is it constantly trying to figure out what is next?
Pastrana: My wife Lyn-z does a good job in helping me slow down and appreciate things, if only for a second, before moving on with a strange youthful exuberance to the next seemingly crazy and impossible idea. I’ve never been very good at settling for what is and always have my eyes set forward to what could be better.
Action Sports Today: How did this project come about?
Pastrana: Like with most similarly big, fun, epic, exciting – and some may even say “pointless” – projects that I am fortunate enough to participate in, Red Bull is the answer. Over the past 15 years I’ve worked closely with that brand and they have been behind me for all of my crazy ideas. They lob a suggestion into the air, I swing for the fences and we see where it lands.
Action Sports Today: What is the process you go through to pick who is a part of it with you?
Pastrana: This project was even more exciting for me because my good friend Gregg Duffy was able to be a part of it, as well as a driver who I’ve always looked up too who I hadn’t been able to spend much time with before the project: Alexander Rossi.
Action Sports Today: How did the weather conditions affect the stunt?
Pastrana: The conditions made the driving and riding exponentially more challenging from every aspect. The cars were cold and the tires were super slippery because we couldn’t get them up to temperature, and the conditions were super slippery because there were wet and icy spots everywhere. Duffy’s suspension wouldn’t hardly work because the oil was too cold and Duffy and Rossi had open cockpits so they couldn’t feel their hands. And none of us could feel our feet all day which makes it tough to be precise with throttle and brakes. Race vehicles were not meant for 15 degree weather or comfort in any way! Having said that, the ice made my driving a lot of fun and the golf course even cooler for Duffy to ride on… That, plus we found out just how much of a legend Rossi is. Drifting an Indy car is thought to be impossible by most top drivers and he was doing it well with even more challenging conditions!
In the end, Pastrana was all smiles when talking about “Keys To The Track.”
“It was a blast and we really had fun,” said Pastrana. “The crossover was the icing on the cake but getting to drive at Indy and all through the pit area with Rossi was really the most exciting part for me.”
Agreed. That track is where the stuff of legends in racing are made.