Driving the Final Vehicle on my Bucket List

He meets up with friends and pros—including three-time NASCAR Truck Series champion Matt Crafton—who all warn him: sprint cars are no joke. No clutch, no starter, just raw power and the risk of a big accident if you get it wrong. Even still, Travis can’t resist the opportunity, even as he openly admits to being terrified and jokes with the pit crew about not crashing or catching on fire.

Getting into the car proves to be a physical challenge—Travis struggles to wedge himself into the tight, custom seat, sharing plenty of laughs (and mild panic) with the team about his deep-seated claustrophobia and the struggle of getting his legs to fit. The unique upright seating position, the huge wing, and the rear-wheel drive setup mark this as a totally different beast from anything he’s driven before.

His main concern isn’t just the power or the unpredictable dirt; it’s the idea of getting trapped inside the car during a crash or fire. With the crew reassuring him—and a bit of friendly peer pressure—Travis gets suited up and ready to go. Before he heads out, he reflects honestly on his fear, even considering bailing on the attempt entirely. Ultimately, though, the spirit of adventure wins out.

Watching Travis inch up to the starting line, nervous energy and excitement in equal measure, it’s clear why sprint cars have so much mystique in motorsports. There’s no faking confidence here: one wrong move, and you can end up upside down in the wall, just as countless drivers before him have. For Travis, even with so much on his impressive motorsports resume, this sprint car isn’t just a bucket list tick—it’s a personal, visceral challenge that demonstrates just how raw and real racing can be.