After a spectacular crash in 2018, Travis Robertson did what many racers do — he got right back behind the wheel. Without hesitation.
The Moorhead driver’s 1R Late Model went on two wheels entering turn three at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, then took a sudden turn to the right and went flying airborne off of the corner — and crashing into the fencing off of the corner. The crash was broadcast live on Midco Sports Net, and went viral with thousands of views online quickly.
He was sore but escaped injuries, thanks to safety equipment, including the HANS device. And despite how horrifying the crash looked - Robertson had no plans to stop racing.
“I never for one second thought I was done after that,” Robertson said. “My dad’s like, ‘I probably can get the car back together for you, we’ll see what we can do.’ I was like absolutely, let’s see what we can do. I was ready.”
In fact, he was behind the wheel a week later. The car was damaged but not beyond repair. To this day, Robertson is uncertain what caused the crash.
“I’m not really sure what happened,” Robertson said. “The car got up on its side; to be honest with you I don’t know what I did in the car, it didn’t look like I lifted or did anything. I don’t know if I wasn’t in absolute shock that I didn’t roll over?”
The sixth-year driver bounced back quickly from the crash. He had a very successful three-year stint in the Wissota Street Stocks — winning 47 features in the 10R car. He then moved into the late model class. This year, he is still piloting the late model on Saturday nights, but has moved into the IMCA Stock Car class to race on Thursdays at Norman County Raceway in Ada and Fridays at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo. On June 7, he picked up his first IMCA Stock Car feature win at NCR.
He had been racing on Fridays at River Cities Speedway the past five years but decided he wanted to run closer to his home of Moorhead.
“(I wanted to) help this class grow anyway I can and to just race at my hometown track,” Robertson said. “I grew up watching at West Fargo; that’s where I was at every Friday. It’s home for me.”
The Robertson name is well known in the Red River Valley. Travis’s dad, Barry, was a top super stock driver in the region for many years and has been a major influence on his son’s racing career.
“I wouldn’t be racing if I didn’t have him,” Travis said.
The Robertson legacy started with Sam Robertson and then was carried on by sons Barry and Kevin and now is in its third generation. Kevin Robertson and his son, Erik, race late models at I-94 Speedway and various NLRA events in the area.
“My grandpa is the one who started it all and the four of us kept it going for him,” Robertson said. “ it’s what I grew up dreaming of doing something like that. To actual grow up and here I am doing it, it’s an awesome feeling.”
Driver Profile
Travis Robertson
Residence: Moorhead, Minn.
Age: 24
Sponsors: Thunder Road, The Bowler, Tires Plus, Dietzler Electric, Big Al’s Construction
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