Travis Pastrana has been officially confirmed on the entry list for the 2023 Daytona 500.
Pastrana has been named on the 42-car entry list for the 65th edition of the race at Daytona International Speedway on February 19.
The 11-time X Games gold medal winner has entered in a Toyota Camry for the Michael Jordan/Denny Hamlin-owned 23XI Racing and will be vying for one of four remaining spots to compete in the 500 through qualifying and the Duel at Daytona races on February 16.
The 39-year-old will have his work cut out for him in qualifying, with seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion turned team owner Jimmie Johnson, with the #84 Legacy Motor Club Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 driver being in the rare position of needing to compete for a start.
He will also be going up against the likes of IndyCar Series driver Conor Daly, Chandler Smith, Zane Smith and Austin Hill.
While not a complete stranger to stock car racing, with 42 race starts in the second-tier NASCAR Xfinity Series, Pastrana will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut, should he qualify in the #67.
“The first time I’m ever in a Cup car over second gear, it’s going to be at Daytona, which I’ve never driven a Cup car on, in a qualifying run, luckily, it’ll be by myself,” he said.
“But any kind of slide, miscalculation, or movement in the wheel, and I’m qualifying way back in the field.”
It has been a taxing start to the year for Pastrana, following the passing of his Gymkhana predecessor Ken Block in January.
He spoke at a gathering celebrating Block’s life in Park City, Utah, recollecting his pioneering approach and determination to develop the sport they loved, following that with a tribute to his close friend in the form of a livery for a Nitro Rallycross event held in honour of the American rally driver.
Since then, he competed in the Race of Champions in Sweden, where he represented the United States of America.
Seven Daytona 500 winners confirmed on entry list
Pastrana headlines an entry list that consists of seven Daytona 500 winners including 2022 victor Austin Cindric, two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner Joey Logano, 2014 title winner Kevin Harvick, Austin Dillon, Michael McDowell, Johnson and Hamlin.
Three rookies have been officially confirmed for a start in the 500, namely Riley Herbst, Ty Gibbs and Noah Gragson.
Daytona 500 Entry List
DRIVER |
TEAM |
| ROSS CHASTAIN | TrackHouse Racing |
| AUSTIN CINDRIC | Team Penske |
| AUSTIN DILLON | Richard Childress Racing |
| KEVIN MARVICK | Stewart Maas Racing |
| KYLE LARSON | Hendrick Motorsports |
| BRAD KESELOWSKI | RFK Racing |
| COREY LAJOIE | Spire Motorsports |
| KYLE BUSCH | Richard Childress Racing |
| CHASE ELLIOTT | Hendrick Motorsports |
| ARIC ALMIROLA | Stewart -Maas Racing |
| DENNY HAMLIN | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| RYAN BLANEY | Team Penske |
| CHANDLER SMITH | Kaulig Racing |
| CHASE BRISCOE | Stewart Maas Racing |
| RILEY HERBST | Rick Ware Racing |
| AJ ALLMENDINGER | Kaulig Racing |
| CHRIS BUESCHER | RFK Racing |
| MARTIN TRUEX JR | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| CHRISTOPMER BELL | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| MARRISON BURTON | Wood Brothers Racing |
| JOEY LOGANO | Team Penske |
| BUBBA WALLACE | 23XI Racing |
| WILLIAM BYRON | Hendrick Motorsports |
| JUSTIN HALEY | Kaulig Racing |
| MICHAEL MCDOWELL | Front Row Motorsports |
| ZANE SMITH | Front Row Motorsports |
| TODD GILLILAND | Front Row Motorsports |
| RYAN PREECE | Stewart Maas Racing |
| NOAM GRAGSON | Legacy Motor Club |
| ERIK JONES 30 43 – | Legacy Motor Club |
| TYLER REDDICK | 23XI Racing |
| RICKY STENHOUSE JR | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| ALEX BOWMAN | Hendrick Motorsports |
| CONOR DALY | TMT Racing |
| CODY WARE | Rick Ware Racing |
| TY GIBBS | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| AUSTIN MILL | Board Motorsports |
| TRAVIS PASTRANA | 23XI Racing |
| TY DILLON | Spire Motorsports |
| BJ MCLEOD | Live Fast Motorsports |
| JIMMIE JOHNSON | Legacy Motor Club |
| DANIEL SUAREZ | TrackHouse Racing |
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