GRASONVILLE — It was a fairly typical Thursday night at the Jetty restaurant and bar, although there were a lot more kids than one would typically expect to see at happy hour. There were also odd bits of racing paraphernalia lying on the tables here and there and an air of excitement that was palpable. When MTV emcee Streetbike Tommy took the stage alongside host/DJ Justin Davis, of the Justin L. Davis Foundation, the party got real. When they announced motorsports icon Travis Pastrana was in the house, the party took off.
Pastrana is a name synonymous with extreme sports and motorsports innovation. By the age of 15, he had already made a mark by becoming the youngest world freestyle motocross champion. This early achievement was a harbinger of the extraordinary career that lay ahead. Travis was in the house to support a fundraiser for First Light For First Responders, a foundation also headed up by Davis.
Pastrana’s rise in the world of extreme sports was meteoric. He competed in his first X Games in 1999, where his performance turned heads and set the stage for a storied career that would encompass a wide array of motorsports disciplines. His flair for the dramatic, underscored by a fearless willingness to attempt and land tricks that others might deem impossible, quickly became his signature. Over his X Games tenure, Pastrana amassed 11 gold medals across various disciplines, including Freestyle Motocross, NASCAR, Rally Car Racing, and even Gymkhana. His competitive spirit drove him to constantly push the boundaries of what was possible in freestyle motocross. Perhaps his most famous stunt came in 2006, when he successfully completed the first-ever double backflip on a motorcycle at the X Games, a feat that remains one of the most iconic moments in the history of extreme sports.
Pastrana’s influence extends beyond his competitive achievements. In 2003, he founded Nitro Circus, an “action sport collective” that he led to global fame through tours, a television series, and a 3D feature film. Nitro Circus became a platform not only for Pastrana to showcase his skills but also for other athletes to perform outrageous stunts and tricks in both live shows and media productions.
Off the track and ramps, Pastrana has also been a charismatic ambassador for motorsports and extreme sports. His engaging personality and willingness to engage with fans have made him a beloved figure in the sports world. He has appeared in numerous video games and television shows, further cementing his status as a cultural icon in extreme sports.
On this evening in particular he was at the Jetty to support long time friend and local youth advocate, Davis and his foundation. Pastrana circulated among the fans gathered, greeting each as though they were old friends rather than new acquaintances. Old and young alike posed for pictures and asked for autographs on everything from racing helmets to parts of motocross bikes.
Local aspiring motocross rider Kaydin, age 15 from Centreville was there with his mom. Originally from Bangor, Maine, Kaydin says he’s been riding since a very young age and hopes to race one day. His mom says of her son. “If it’s got wheels and it can hurt you he’s probably ridden it or jumped it.”
True to form, DJ Juice (Justin) kept the party rolling, collecting donations to his foundation the whole time. Pastrana was as generous with his time as he was with his smiles to the fans gathered to see him. “Justin’s foundation does great work in the community and I am always happy to come and support him!”, he said.
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