Travis Pastrana attempts three of Evel Knievel’s iconic jumps
Homage to Evel: At the precipice of History’s second annual week of car-themed programming, the network is set to unveil an unprecedented live event with the help of Travis Pastrana. On Sunday, July 8, the American professional motorsports competitor honors the legendary Evel Knievel with three stunts in “Evel Live.”
Pastrana will be attempting Knievel’s jump over 50 cars and another over 14 full-size buses, but the feather in his cap — if he succeeds — will be the jump over the Caesar’s Palace fountain. The Caesar’s fountain jump has become legendary in sports entertainment; Knievel famously missed the jump and spent more than a month in hospital afterward. The buzz from his attempt got footage from the failed trick picked up by ABC, and when it aired, it became a 1967 version of a viral sensation, sending Knievel’s stuntman career skyrocketing.
Pastrana will become one of only four other motorcyclists to attempt to clear the fountain, and only two of those in that club so far have landed on the other side. Knievel’s son dedicated his successful jump to his father in 1989, and Mike Metzger landed a backflip over the fountain in 2006 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Caesar’s Palace and the premiere of “Mission: Impossible III” (2006).
To attempt the jumps, Pastrana has created a motorcycle inspired by the one Knievel used more than 50 years ago. Just after beginning his practice runs about a month in advance of the stunt, Pastrana told Dirt Rider about practicing: “I even feel like a sissy to start with, because I know Evel wouldn’t have done that.”
With the 50/50 crash/land record of the jump, Pastrana is definitely smart to practice, though he has bounced back from countless injuries throughout his racing career. Pastrana is not only an X Games gold medalist and former NASCAR competitor, he has also produced documentaries based on his and his friends’ stunts.
Expect interviews with Pastrana and Knievel’s family members, footage found in Knievel archives of his daring stunts, expert analysis and much more in the special. Watch the three-hour live event “Evel Live” on Sunday, July 8, on History.
Long live the king: Once a year, skateboarding magazine Thrasher holds a contest inviting professional skateboarders to vie for the coveted title of King of the Road. Thanks to Viceland, you can catch all the jumps, shenanigans and skinned knees of the competition in “King of the Road,” which debuts its third season on Tuesday, July 10.
This season welcomes three new teams comprised of some of the best skaters from brands Element, Real and Foundation, who take each other on in a series of challenges set out by Thrasher. Experience the teams’ wild antics as each week they participate in stunts and get a step closer to being crowned. The skaters are in for the trip of a lifetime as they travel across America while competing in the ultimate scavenger hunt. Joined by surprise guests, the competitors complete as many qualifying stunts as they can before the end of Thrasher’s annual competition.
Check out the season 3 premiere of “King of the Road” on Viceland on Tuesday, July 10, to see which teams could possibly begin their reign this year.