2006 Daytona Supercross Heat #2 (Travis Pastrana's Heat Race Return)

This is the 2nd Supercross class heat race from Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, FL.
In 2006, Suzuki's Travis Pastrana #199 had pleased the Supercross community as he made a one-off appearance at the Daytona Supercross. It was the first time the Supercross world had seen Travis Pastrana in a Supercross event since Dallas 2005 -- 13 races. Pastrana had yet ANOTHER disappointing Supercross season in 2005 as he was forced to the sidelines early due to injury at Phoenix. Travis made his return at Dallas, but he crashed with 125cc West rider Jay Marmont on his Red Bull #111 KTM. Pastrana would come back for a 2nd in the semi-final behind his Suzuki teammate Sebastien Tortelli, but Travis did not line up for the main event due to dizziness and a big gash on his knee, which ultimately ended his 2005 Supercross season.
With the change of the division names to Supercross and Supercross Lites, everyone in the Lites class had gone to 250cc 4-strokes after Team Kawasaki's James "Bubba" Stewart graduated to the premier class; now, everyone in the Supercross class had made the switch to 450cc 4-strokes for 2006. Travis Pastrana was no exception, and he was already making a buzz before the Daytona Supercross even started.
Firstly, Travis Pastrana competed in a GNCC race aboard a 2-stroke Suzuki. After a first-turn crash, Pastrana got back up and fought up to 3rd or 4th, according to booth reporter, Dave Despain... but Travis pulled his radiator and ended up out of the race. Second, Travis competed in a short track race and did remarkably well -- he didn't make the show, but was within 8 riders of making the field. Lastly, #199 rode his day qualifier at the Daytona Supercross and won, but the whole buzz was what he did over the FINISH line jump: Travis attempted a backflip, and ALMOST completed it!! Unfortunately, Travis crashed, but the fans cheered the Maryland native. The backflip attempt landed Travis in a big heap of trouble with the AMA. Travis repeatedly apologized about it, but the AMA told him if Travis attempted a backflip in an AMA sanctioned event again, the AMA would yank his pro license.
In the heat race, Travis Pastrana nearly pulled the holeshot. He got the fans on their feet screaming by battling with 2-time 125cc West SX champ, Team Suzuki's Ivan Tedesco #9 for the lead. Series points leader, Yamaha's Chad Reed #22 crashed on the opening lap and did not complete his heat race after his bike was all mangled in the crash, which ultimately sent Chad to the semi. The race turned into a Suzuki pseudo-teammate battle between Tedesco and Pastrana until Travis had a close call during a commercial break... but Travis would crash hard in the whoops with 2 laps to go. That bad crash knocked Travis out of the heat race and into the semifinal, while Ivan Tedesco would win the heat race.
Pastrana and Reed would come back for the 2nd semifinal. Chad Reed would win the 6-lap semi, and Travis Pastrana took a quiet 2nd place finish. Travis would later withdraw from the main event, and Chad Reed went on for a strong 2nd place finish after he injured his shoulder just before the Daytona Supercross. Travis would never be seen in a Supercross until St. Louis 2009 when he designed the track; unfortunately, Travis failed to qualify for the main that night. Unfortunately, Travis has not competed in a Supercross event since.
Enjoy.

[@scottegbert9575]

Hey Mathew, I know you're from Stitch's state, Hawaii. But when are you continuing recording your video game shows?

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Soon, but that comment is 100% irrelevant to this video.

[@treshaboyd6418]

You are my favorite rider in the world

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Travis you mean?

[@rossdalby5258]

Travis on a four stoke ?

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Of course. Travis is on a 4-stroke because with the division names being changed to "Supercross" and "Supercross Lites", the entire premier class went up to 450cc 4-strokes for the 2006 season. The 250Fs had already taken over the Lites class (formerly the 125cc class) as of Unadilla 2005. If Travis were on an RM250 2-stroke, I seriously doubted he'd have a chance to run up front. I have to admit that Travis really looked good on the 450cc since he's nearly 200 lbs. and 6' 3". Unfortunately, this was the race where I really lost my respect for Travis after he backflipped the FINISH line jump in his day qualifier.

[@rossdalby5258]

@@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames ah I've been away from motocross for quite a few years only back a couple of years just seen him on the 2 strokes and do some amazing racing. I was just shocked to see him on a 4 stroke and still do really well

[@MathewVsSportsMediaandGames]

Travis was good on the 2-strokes, but when the whole Supercross world went to the 450cc 4-strokes, it was clear to see that the 250cc 2-strokes were a thing of the past. On a good note, they have made a comeback in Canada's MX2/250cc class where they are competing against the 250cc 4-strokes. I like the move, but I also can't help but feel that move also considerably discredits the motorcycle when you consider the fact that the 250cc 2-strokes went against the 450cc 4-strokes around this time period (the early 2000s). Travis is one of a few riders I've watched through the years whom I am GLAD is NOT active in this sport anymore (another being Jason Lawrence).

[@carlfromclevelandave2300]

MathewV21688 why such the negative feelings towards Travis? I get the backflip was kind of dangerous considering this was a race and not the X-Games but I'm sure the crowd went nuts even if it was practice and there prolly weren't nearly as many ppl watching as the night show. My dad and I were watching this on TV and got super hyped jus watching him chasing Ivan.

[@carlfromclevelandave2300]

MathewV21688 and didn't David Vulimen race a cr250 at the beginning of the season for BooKoo Honda before switching to a Crf450 Midway?