SceneDaily.com. In his article "The Xman Cometh: Can Travis Pastrana bring his magic - and fans - to NASCAR?" he points out that Pastrana could bring "major opportunity at attracting followers who could carry the sport deep into the 21st century." Here's an excerpt:So, why even pay attention to him? What makes Pastrana different from any of the Johnny-come-latelies who have ridden a wave of hype into NASCAR only to slip out of view, humbled?The first and most crucial distinction is simple: his fame.?He?s an action sports icon. A legend,? Ty Norris, vice president and general manager of Michael Waltrip Racing, says. ?He?s made himself one of the top influencers of youth in America. He?s done all those things and he still wants to do NASCAR. Our sport doesn?t see that.?Usually, it?s the opposite. We become NASCAR drivers then we become huge celebrities and then we start to give back through charity and expand who we are after we become celebrities. Very, very few times have people walked in with these types of credentials.?Of course, that?s not to say that the grandstands will be full of Pastrana fans in July. In fact, the opposite is likely to be true. His following is almost entirely separate from the NASCAR mainstream. That?s what makes him so attractive and so important to NASCAR.With its audience shrinking and getting older, the sport is in desperate need of young fans. Pastrana represents a major opportunity at attracting followers who could carry the sport deep into the 21st century.That?s one of the primary reasons that Norris, and Blake Bechtel, one of Pastrana?s co-owners in Pastrana-Waltrip Racing, wanted the superstar in NASCAR.?We wanted to be different and this is a lot of Blake?s vision,? Norris says. ?If we?re going to be a young team, we want to attract young fans.?For the rest of the story, you can check it out at SceneDaily.com" />


Can TP bring his magic ? and fans ? to NASCAR?



Travis may just be the saving grace to NASCAR according to Jay Pfeifer of SceneDaily.com. In his article "The Xman Cometh: Can Travis Pastrana bring his magic - and fans - to NASCAR?" he points out that Pastrana could bring "major opportunity at attracting followers who could carry the sport deep into the 21st century." Here's an excerpt:

So, why even pay attention to him? What makes Pastrana different from any of the Johnny-come-latelies who have ridden a wave of hype into NASCAR only to slip out of view, humbled?

The first and most crucial distinction is simple: his fame.

?He?s an action sports icon. A legend,? Ty Norris, vice president and general manager of Michael Waltrip Racing, says. ?He?s made himself one of the top influencers of youth in America. He?s done all those things and he still wants to do NASCAR. Our sport doesn?t see that.

?Usually, it?s the opposite. We become NASCAR drivers then we become huge celebrities and then we start to give back through charity and expand who we are after we become celebrities. Very, very few times have people walked in with these types of credentials.?

Of course, that?s not to say that the grandstands will be full of Pastrana fans in July. In fact, the opposite is likely to be true. His following is almost entirely separate from the NASCAR mainstream. That?s what makes him so attractive and so important to NASCAR.

With its audience shrinking and getting older, the sport is in desperate need of young fans. Pastrana represents a major opportunity at attracting followers who could carry the sport deep into the 21st century.

That?s one of the primary reasons that Norris, and Blake Bechtel, one of Pastrana?s co-owners in Pastrana-Waltrip Racing, wanted the superstar in NASCAR.

?We wanted to be different and this is a lot of Blake?s vision,? Norris says. ?If we?re going to be a young team, we want to attract young fans.?

For the rest of the story, you can check it out at SceneDaily.com



7.20.2011