Travis Pastrana set for first NASCAR start since 2023
NORTH READING, Mass. — Travis Pastrana has added his name to an increasingly star-studded lineup for next month’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener at Daytona.
Niece Motorsports
Pastrana will drive Niece’s No. 42 BRUNT Workwear Chevrolet in the Feb. 13, 2026 season-opening Fresh from Florida 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona. The 11-time X Games gold medalist will join three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and series regulars in the field for the race.
“I’m excited to get back on the track in Daytona with Brunt Workwear and Niece Motorsports,” Pastrana said. “This is my first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race since 2023, so it will be fun to get behind the wheel again and see what we can do.
In 2023, Pastrana raced in the Daytona 500 in 23XI Racing’s No. 67 Toyota and the NCTS race at Daytona with Niece Motorsports. He finished 11th for 23XI and 13th for Niece.
Pastrana’s first start in three years marks the expansion of sponsor Brunt’s presence in the sport.
“We’ve been talking about making this happen ever since we started working with Travis,” said Eric Girouard, founder and CEO of Brunt Workwear. “If something has wheels and an engine, chances are Travis drives it better than most. He’s a motor and action sports legend that embodies Brunt’s commitment to celebrating hard work and grit, and we can’t wait to see him in the Brunt Truck at Daytona.”
Pastrana will also be reunited with Cody Efaw, the CEO of Niece Motorsports whom he worked with at Jack Roush’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series team in 2013.
“Travis and I first worked together at Roush back in 2013, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see that relationship continue into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Niece Motorsports,” Efaw said. “Travis is one of the most genuine people you’ll ever meet and we’re thrilled to welcome Brunt Workwear to the Niece Motorsports family.”
Pastrana’s Daytona start will mark his 50th NASCAR start. He has the one Cup start, 42 NOAPS starts and six NCTS starts. He made his debut in 2012, racing nine times in NOAPS and once in NCTS competition, before going full-time in NOAPS with Roush in 2013. He racked up for top-10 finishes and a pole in his lone full-time NASCAR season.
Pastrana’s next race – the Fresh From Florida 250 – will air live on Fox Sports 1 from Daytona International Speedway starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com