INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 30, 2012) -- The No. 99 Boost Mobile Toyota driver Travis Pastrana, who is sponsored in part by KMC Wheels, posted a career-best 13th-place finish in Saturday’s inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"I’m really excited with a top-15," said Pastrana. "I’ve learned my most in the last two races. Respectable finishes, but still every driver wants to win. It’s going to take time.”
The RAB Racing driver started 19th and raced there until a competition caution flag flew on lap 15. On lap 38, Pastrana avoided a multi-car incident that brought out the afternoon’s second caution.
Pastrana cut through the infield to avoid the accident and found himself battling an overheating problem due to grass on the grill. He pitted three times to fix the issue.
The 28-year-old driver restarted 31st on lap 48 and moved back in the top 20 by lap 54. He continued his charge toward the front claiming 11th by lap 83. Pastrana lost a few spots in the final laps to finish 13th.
It is Pastrana's rookie Nationwide season and his first time racing at the storied Brickyard.
“It’s a very intimidating place," he said. "(Indianapolis Motor Speedway) is it for motorsports -- this and Daytona. It's definitely an honor to race here."
The action sport star returns to the No. 99 Boost Mobile Toyota Sept. 1 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Before that, he will race in the K&N Pro Series East race at Iowa next Friday night.
Pastrana’s Nitro Circus The Movie 3D premiums August 8th