Travis Pastrana Returns to Daytona Weekend, Brings $100K Donation for Veterans and First Responders
Travis Pastrana will be back at Daytona International Speedway for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener on Friday, Feb. 13, bringing not only his trademark intensity on the track but also a charitable push that will benefit veterans and first responders.
Pastrana back in the mix at Daytona
The action-sports star and multi-discipline racer returns to the Daytona weekend scene for the first time since his Daytona 500 appearance in 2023. Pastrana will compete in the Fresh From Florida 250 support card, taking part in the Truck Series season opener that has become one of the most talked-about lineups in recent memory.
Charity partnership brings $100, 000 donation
Pastrana has teamed with two commercial partners to generate a $100, 000 donation to the Boot Campaign, an organization focused on programs for veterans and military families, including mental-health, housing and financial-wellness support. The move highlights Pastrana’s personal ties to the military: family members have served in the Marines and Navy, and the cause resonates deeply with him.
Why the donation matters to Pastrana
“My dad loves to get veterans together, tell stories, and just be appreciative for being able to live the American Dream, ” Pastrana said. He described the partnership as a way to give back and make Daytona a special experience for those who serve. Pastrana also emphasized that the activation is about more than publicity — it’s about bringing veterans and first responders to the Speedway and ensuring they have a memorable night.
A star-studded field and one-off appearances
The Fresh From Florida 250 field reads like a who’s who of crossover talent. Racing legend Tony Stewart will make his first NASCAR start in a decade, while internet personality Cleetus McFarland and actor Frankie Muniz are among the other one-off entrants. Four full-time Cup Series regulars — Carson Hocevar, Michael McDowell, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and John Hunter Nemechek — are also slated to run, guaranteeing close-quarters, high-speed drama that suits Daytona’s style.
Weekend schedule and what to watch
The support-card timing sets up a full day of action on Friday, Feb. 13. ARCA qualifying is set for 1: 30 p. m. ET, Truck Series qualifying will follow at 3: 00 p. m. ET, and practice sessions for O’Reilly and Cup drivers begin at 4: 30 p. m. ET and 5: 35 p. m. ET, respectively. The Fresh From Florida 250 is scheduled to start at 7: 30 p. m. ET, giving Pastrana and his fellow entrants a primetime platform to showcase their skills.
Expect intensity — both on and off the track
Pastrana has spoken candidly about the physical and mental demands of high-stakes stock-car racing, recalling an elevated heart rate during long events and the sustained focus required to manage pack racing at Daytona. That blend of adrenaline and endurance is why his return draws attention, and why his charitable focus has struck a chord: the high-intensity environment of motorsports often intersects with real-world needs among the veteran and first-responder communities Pastrana is championing.
As Friday’s schedule unfolds, all eyes will be on how the one-off entries — and Pastrana’s partnership-driven appearance — affect the dynamics of an already compelling Truck Series opener. The combination of star power, solid on-track previews and a sizable donation to a veteran-focused charity gives Daytona weekend a fresh and human-centered narrative to follow.
