Travis Pastrana was almost unable to compete in the debut of Nitrocross in Las Vegas. The extreme-racing legend designed the tracks, standardized the vehicles and drafted the drivers of auto racing’s newest—and most disruptive—sport, Nitrocross. Knee-replacement surgery that kept him from driving in February’s Calgary, Alberta event won’t prevent him from participating in the final rounds of the 2023-24 season at Planet Hollywood’s newly built Nitrodome.
Unlike Formula 1’s takeover of the streets of Las Vegas, Nitrocross needs dedicated tracks for the high-flying action and super-speed velocity required. A combination of motocross and rally racing, Nitrocross races happen on dirt, ice or tarmac, depending on the location. It’s a race for drivers by drivers, with long ramp jumps, drifts and banked turns that depend more on navigation skill and reflexes than expensive, souped-up vehicles.
Photo by: QNIGAN
Nitrocross is more than a race attracting the most sensation-seeking drivers alive. It’s conceived as a festival experience with a relatively short race length featuring custom-designed FC1-X electric cars. Concerts, marathon post-race autograph sessions and special events such as the Baja Bug race that debuted in Calgary will be part of the experience a stone’s throw away from The Strip at Nitrodome.
Rising stars of the Group E class include current season leader Robin Larsson, No. 2 Kevin Eriksson, Fraser McConnell, Andreas Bakkerud and Lia Block. Pastrana will enter the race at No. 7. Having the Nitrocross season end in Las Vegas is the latest career landmark for him in the city where in 2018 he repeated three of Evel Knievel’s most famous motorcycle stunts, including a jump over the fountains in front of Caesars Palace.
That same year Nitro Rallycross, which would be rebranded at Nitrocross, was founded. Pastrana had a vision for purpose-built, 1,000-plus horsepower cars on tracks custom-designed for each race location and climate. Backed by investors with deep pockets, Pastrana built a prototype track in Salt Lake City that he tested out himself and impressed pro rallycross drivers with. High-profile partners such as Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White generated confidence in the success of the enterprise among observers and Pastrana himself.
Photo by: Nate Christenson
The FC1-X vehicle can go from zero to 60 mph in little more than a second. They withstand the impacts of ramp jumps that attracted none other than NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, who made his Nitro debut in 2021. Group E is supplemented by the NEXT developmental class, where young drivers take their inaugural laps as professional competitors.
The response to Nitrocross has been phenomenal so far. Crowds are loud and enthusiastic. The VIP section at Nitrodome is the biggest of the season, and sightlines have been designed for spectators to see every inch of the tracks during races.
Fans will also have chances to get up-close-and-personal with drivers as well as their cars. And Pastrana will be getting around as best he can with his new knee. He may not be able to walk that well, but there will be no separation between himself and his wheels once he’s on the starting line at Nitrocross.
Planet Hollywood. times vary. March 1-2, starting at $50 plus tax and fee. ticketmaster.com
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