Travis Pastrana successfully triplicates iconic jumps
LAS VEGAS — Honoring the man who paved the way for dozens of daredevils, Travis Pastrana succeeded in triplicating three of Evel Knievel’s iconic motorcycle jumps Sunday night.
Donning his own Knievel-like costume, Pastrana used an Indian Scout FTR750 to jump 143 feet to clear 52 crushed cars, 192 feet over 16 Greyhound buses and concluded the “Evel Live” event on the History Channel by jumping 149 feet to clear the fountains at Caesars Palace.
“It’s just such an honor to live a day in Evel’s footsteps, and literally his boots,” Pastrana said. “To be here in Las Vegas, so much of my history has been here. I proposed to my wife here, I had (the) first Nitro Circus show here. This was definitely the coolest thing I’ve ever done.”
Pastrana, who is nearing the end of an impressive career as a stunt showman and professional motorsports competitor, admitted he was nervous leading up to the event, which began in an empty lot be-
behind Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Paris Las Vegas and Bally’s Las Vegas.
“This is all about Evel, and the coolest thing about this whole thing, all of Evel’s family is out here,” said Pastrana, whose outfit included a white jumpsuit with the blue V and white stars, a cape and high heel dress boots. “This is the home of the most iconic jump, one of the most iconic events that has ever gone down. And to end at Caesars Palace, to
have a chance to jump the fountain.
“It’s not the longest jump but it’s definitely the hardest.”
After his first two jumps over the cars and buses, Pastrana had a police escort while riding the same motorcycle along Las Vegas Boulevard all while popping wheelies and stopping to highfive and shake hands with fans.
“To be able to get a police escort on the Las Vegas Strip, I mean c’mon,” said Pastrana, 34, who cleared the fountains over 50 years after Knievel famously crashed while attempting the same feat.