History is teaming up with Nitro Circus for the three-hour live event, Evel Live, set to air on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 5pm PT and 8pm ET. The live special will feature Travis Pastrana attempting to surpass three of Evel Knievel’s most memorable jumps.
The Evel Live special will take place in Las Vegas and will be hosted by America Ninja Warrior‘s Matt Iseman. Sal Masekala is hosting the roundtable during the event which will feature “celebrity and expert panelists comprised of athletes, analysts and more.” Carey Hart, Johnny Knoxville (the Jackass series, Action Point, Being Evel) and the panelists will handle the commentary throughout the event, with ESPN reporter Kimberly Pressler on board as a sideline reporter.
ABC Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee is on board to discuss how the heat and wind might affect Pastrana’s jumps.
The special’s executive produced by Trip Taylor and Dave Mateus for Nitro Circus Media Productions, with Zachary Behr, Sean Boyle, and Mary E. Donahue executive producing for History.
The Evel Live Details: “During Evel Live, Travis Pastrana will attempt to exceed three of Knievel’s most iconic jumps. Pastrana will first look to surpass Knievel’s 50 crushed car record as well as his 14 bus record by jumping 16 Greyhound buses (located directly behind Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Paris Las Vegas and Bally’s Las Vegas). Then Pastrana will cap the night off by attempting to complete the famous Caesars Palace fountain jump that 50 years ago left Knievel grasping for his life.
Raising the stakes even higher, Pastrana will attempt these jumps on a v-twin motorcycle similar to what Evel used. He will be jumping a modern day evolution of the flat track motorcycles of the past, the Indian Scout FTR750. If successful, Pastrana will be the first person to complete all three jumps in one night.
Throughout the three-hour event Kelly Knievel (elder son of the late Evel Knievel), along with Pastrana family members, will discuss the persona and legend that Evel created; the impact he has had on America; what it is like to watch these nerve-wracking moments as a family member and why Pastrana is the perfect person to pay tribute to Evel. Archival footage of the history behind Knievel’s many daring jumps will also be woven throughout the three hours.”
