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FONTANA, Calif., (February 20, 2008) – The second stop of the 2008 season at the newly renamed Auto Club Speedway of Southern California once again had the stars of the Sprint Cup Series experiencing several indigestion-causing incidents. From weepers and rain delays to four car accidents and red flags, the Auto Club 500 proved to have several TUMSâ moments. Each weekend, PRN lead anchor Doug Rice picks the Top 10 TUMS Moments from last weekend’s racing activities.
The Top 10 TUMS honors go to:
10. The sparse crowd at the Monday’s rain-delayed race shows that NASCAR still has a long way to go in Southern California.
9. Denny Hamlin has early problems and is out of contention right after the green flag falls.
8. It was a TUMS moment for all the drivers who fell victim to a slippery race track in California.
7. After a top-10 run in Daytona, Elliott Sadler spins out and tags the wall.
6. NASCAR schedules a truck and Nationwide race on the same day and then is forced to hold a Sprint Cup and Nationwide race on Monday. The double-header concept is sidelined by Mother Nature.
5. All the track personnel logs endless laps around Auto Club Speedway in an effort to dry the track.
4. Micheal Waltrip’s Toyota develops an oil leak on the parade laps and finds himself behind before the race even starts. Waltrip would later spin and hit the wall.
3. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. fans see their guy involved in a wicked four car crash that takes out Casey Mears, Sam Hornish, Jr. and Reed Sorenson.
2. All the drivers that never got a chance to qualify when rain washed out pole day.
1. All the brave fans that held out hope for over six hours of red flag down time on Sunday only to see the race postponed until Monday.
Stayed tuned each week for the Top 10 TUMS Moments to see what drivers and teams are most in need of TUMS fast relief.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational dazzles fans in the Midwest
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ST. LOUIS, Mo. (February 24, 2008) – The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational excited bull riding fans this weekend when the ninth stop of the Professional Bull Riders’ (PBR) Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler (BFTS) stopped at the Scottrade Center in downtown St. Louis, Mo. The toughest cowboys in the world pulled out all the stops to offer the Midwest the ultimate bull riding experience with exhilarating rides and harrowing wrecks. When the dust settled in the arena it was Brazilian sensation, Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, BZ) who walked away with the event championship with 359.5 total points and $31,180 in PBR bucks.
“I am in the United States to win money,” said Nunes following the event. “It’s an honor to win an event with this much money to take home to Brazil.”
Nunes was one of only three men to ride all four bulls this weekend during the St. Louis event. He dazzled the crowd on Sunday afternoon during the Built Ford Tough Championship Round when he scored 95.75 points aboard Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy’s Chicken on a Chain. The ride was the high marked ride of the weekend and is also the highest marked ride of the season to date. The ride clinched the event championship for Nunes.
“I picked the best bull in the world today,” said Nunes. “He’s a good bull. I always pick a big bull for a big score. This is the best prize in the world.” At three-day BFTS events the bull riders personally select their bulls for the second round and the Built Ford Tough Championship round.
The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational event victory marks Nunes’ second career win since coming the United States to compete in the PBR; his first win was in Tacoma, Wash. in 2007. In the four years he has competed professionally, Nunes has picked up $306,938.67 in PBR bucks. Through nine events in the 2008 BFTS season he maintains a remarkable 64% riding percentage.
Nunes was joined on the winner’s podium with two fellow Brazilian cowboys. Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, BZ) claimed second place in the event when he scored 357.5 points on four bulls. Palermo added $17,556 to his PBR earnings. Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, BZ) held down third place with 354.75 points and added $14,958 to his pocketbook.
Have the Brazilians become the dominant force in the sport of professional bull riding? The statistics speak for themselves. The Brazilian contingent of bull riders has taken a bite out of the early part of the 2008 BFTS season by claiming one-third of the event championships-Valdiron de Oliveira (Aparecida de Goiania, GO) captured the title in the New York City, Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, SP) won in Anaheim, Calif. and Nunes won this weekend. They consistently capture a few spots in the top10 finishes weekly, and six of the top 20 men in the chase for the 2008 PBR World Championship hail from Brazil, all maintaining an impressive 50% plus riding percentage.
Although Nunes claimed the event title, it was Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) who dominated the spotlight during the first three rounds of the event. He claimed the first round victory on Friday night with 90.25 points aboard John & Lacey Berger/Andy Hawkes’ Road Daddy. On Saturday evening, he once again claimed the round victory with 90.25 points aboard Berger Bucking Bulls’ Bad Medicine. In round three, he rode John & Lacey Berger’s North Dakota Kid for 88 points. Brown earned $10,000 in Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Ride with the Best” bonus money during the three day event. When he was bucked off of #10 Bucking Bulls’ Cat Man Do the Brazilian contingent took over for a clean sweep of the event. Brown finished the event in fourth place with 268.5 points and $25,468.
The grueling week-in and week-out schedule of the PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler continues to thrill a different city every weekend from now through May 3rd. All of the breathtaking rides and daunting wrecks will air on VERSUS each Saturday and Sunday evening.
The next stop is the Baltimore Invitational March 1 and 2 from the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Md. The Baltimore Invitational will air on VERSUS at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2. For information on upcoming tour dates, ticket information and complete broadcast times, please visit www.pbrnow.com.
Injury Report:
Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, SP, BZ) sustained a sprained neck during the second round of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational. He is questionable to compete in Baltimore.
BEHIND THE CHUTES:
Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s “Ride with the Best” Bonus:
As the winner of the third round of the Anaheim Invitational in Anaheim Calif., J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) was eligible to compete for the $5,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Ride with the Best” bonus on Friday night in St. Louis. Mauney was successful against Robinson/Larry the Cable Guy’s Atta Boy, winning the bonus money.
Zach Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) claimed the round victory in the first round on Friday night at the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational and the right to compete for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Ride with the Best” bonus on Saturday night. Brown was successful against Berger Bucking Bulls’ Bad Medicine, thus claiming the $5,000 bonus.
Brown also captured the second round and was eligible to compete on Sunday for the bonus. He was successful against John & Lacey Berger’s North Dakota Kid, claiming another $5,000 bonus.
By winning the third round of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational in St. Louis, Tyler Pankewitz (Warburg, AB, Canada) will be eligible for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Ride with the Best” bonus money next weekend during the first round of the Baltimore Invitational.
Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus:
Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) led the event going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round but did not win the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational event title; therefore he did not receive the $15,000 Ford Truck Moment of Truth bonus. The bonus will be $20,000 next weekend in Baltimore, Md. The bonus grows by $5,000 each week if it is not claimed. Once claimed, it returns to $5,000.
Ford Super Duty Challenge:
As the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational event winner, Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, BZ) has qualified for a chance to compete at the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals, against all other 2008 Built Ford Tough Series event winners, for $50,000 toward the purchase of a 2009 Ford Super Duty Truck. The Ford Super Duty Challenge contestant who finishes the highest in the event aggregate during the 2008 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals will win the Ford Super Duty Challenge.
Salem NationaLease Bull of the Event:
Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy’s Chicken on a Chain was the high-marked bull of the event with a score of 46.5 points, and was awarded $1,250 as a part of Salem NationaLease’s exciting bonus program. The program awards $1,250 to the top bull of the event as determined by the PBR judges’ bull scores.
Cabela’s World’s Foremost Ride:
Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, BZ) recorded the highest-marked ride of the event when he topped Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy’s Chicken on a Chain for 95.75 points during the Built Ford Tough Championship Round of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational. In doing so, he earned a $1,000 bonus.
The rider who achieves the highest score at each BFTS regular season event, excluding the PBR World Finals receives a bonus of $1,000 for the accomplishment. The PBR athlete who achieves the highest-marked qualifying ride during the entire 2008 BFTS regular season, excluding the PBR World Finals event will receive $25,000, while second and third place finishers will be awarded $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. The bull rider that achieves the highest marked ride through the course of the entire 2008 PBR BFTS World Finals will earn an additional $10,000.
Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, BZ) took over the lead for the Cabela’s World’s Foremost Ride with his ride during the Built Ford Tough Championship Round of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational with a 95.75 point ride aboard Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy’s Chicken on a Chain.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational Results
ROUND ONE:
1) Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) 90.25 points on John & Lacey Berger/Andy Hawkes’ Road Daddy, $7,000; 2) Dustin Elliott (North Platte, Neb.) 89.5 points on Page & Teague Bucking Bulls’ Sunshine, $5,000; 3) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, BZ) 88.25 points on David Day’s T-Money, $3,000; 4/5) L.J. Jenkins (Texico, N.M.) 87.5 points on Robison/Larry the Cable Guy’s Cold Play, $1,600; 4/5) Josh Koschel (Loveland, Colo.) 87.5 points on Hebert Bucking Bulls’ Blaze, $1,600.
ROUND TWO:
1) Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) 90.25 points on Berger Bucking Bulls’ Bad Medicine, $2,370; 2/4) L.J. Jenkins (Texico, N.M.) 90 points on Page & Buck’s Savage Shaker, $1,300; 2/4) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, BZ) 90 points on D&H Cattle Co./Junk Bull Co.’s Grey Dog, $1,300; 2/4) Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, BZ) 90 points on Berger Bucking Bulls’ McClintock, $1,300; 5) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 89.25 points on Page & Teague Bucking Bulls’ Speck Jet.
ROUND THREE:
1) Tyler Pankewitz (Warburg, AB, Canada) 89.5 points on Berger Bucking Bulls’ Bad Medicine, $2,730; 2/3) Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) 88.75 points on Chad Berger/Larry Ryken’s Live Wire, $1,560; 2/3) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, BZ) 88.75 points on Roy Carter Bucking Bulls’ Eddie Munster, $1,560; 4) Austin Meier (Kinta, Okla.) 88.5 points on Chad Berger/Larry Ryken’s Fully Loaded.
BUILT FORD TOUGH CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND:
1) Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, BZ) 95.75 points on Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy’s Chicken on a Chain, $2,730; 2) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, BZ) 92.75 points on Frontier/Teague/Ron White’s Nervous Waters, $1,950; 3) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, BZ) 90 points on C&G Rodeo Livestock, LLC’s Spit Fire, $1,170.
OVERALL EVENT RESULTS:
1) Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, BZ) 359.5 points, $31,180; 2) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, BZ) 357.5 points, $17,556; 3) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, BZ) 354.75 points, $14,958; 4) Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) 268.5 points, $25,468; 5) Ross Coleman (Molalla, Ore.) 260 points, $4,350.
BUILT FORD TOUGH WORLD STANDINGS: (The PBR World Champion is based on total Built Ford Tough Series points earned through the season)
1) Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) 3,698.5 points, $212,396.17; 2) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, BZ) 3,537 points, $42,697; 3) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 3,363.75 points, $73,287.20; 4) Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, SP, BZ) 3,266.5 points, $86,036.21; 5) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, BZ) 3,099.25 points, $120,940; 6) Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) 2,754.25 points, $44,896.48; 7) J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) 2,659.5 points, $62,326.67; 8 ) L.J. Jenkins (Texico, N.M.) 2,635.5 points, $55,893.05; 9) Kasey Hayes (Liberal, Kan.) 2,552.25 points, $76,966.77; 10) Nick Landrenau (Sulphur, La.) 2,411.75 points, $63,541.95.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Feb. 20 2008) – The first stop of the 2008 season at Daytona International Speedway once again had the stars of the Sprint Cup Series experiencing several indigestion-causing incidents. From qualifying woes to last-lap lead changes, the 50th anniversary of the Daytona 500 proved to have several TUMSâ moments. Each weekend, PRN lead anchor Doug Rice picks the Top 10 TUMS Moments from last weekend’s racing activities.
The Top 10 TUMS honors go to:
10. Jacques Villeneuve finds out that he is out of Bill Davis Racing after failing to make the Daytona 500.
9. Bill Elliot fails to qualify for the Daytona 500 and the Wood Brothers are forced to go home early.
8. Joe Nemechek has a lug-nut go through the oil pan dashing his hopes of a good finish.
7. Despite winning both series support races, Toyota falters late in the 500 as Tony Stewart finishes third followed by teammate Kyle Busch in fourth position.
6. Jeff Gordon fails in his attempt to win his fourth Daytona 500 as his DuPont Chevrolet has suspension misery and struggles to a 30th-place finish.
5. After contact from behind on Lap 177, Jimmie Johnson and his Lowe’s Chevrolet never can recover and drops out of contention.
4. On Lap 183, Clint Boyer gets turned around while leading the Daytona 500 by Juan Pablo Montoya and relinquishes the lead.
3. David Ragan swerves on the track and pushes his teammate Matt Kenseth into the wall.
2. Casey Mears crashes into Turn 1 on lap 195 after contact from Tony Stewart.
1. Tony Stewart is leading at the white flag but is denied his first Daytona 500 after being double-teamed by the Dodge’s of Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman.
Stayed tuned each week for the Top 10 TUMS Moments to see what drivers and teams are most in need of TUMS fast relief.
Clayton Williams claims second consecutive Challenger Tour Championship and $525,000
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (February 17, 2008) – Oklahoma bull riding fans were thrilled this weekend when the Professional Bull Riders’ (PBR) Copenhagen Bull Riding Challenger Tour Championship presented by Dickies roared into Oklahoma City. With $1 million up for grabs the world’s best bull riders put every effort into each performance. In a dramatic finish, Clayton Williams (Carthage, Texas) repeated his winning style and claimed his second Challenger Tour Championship event title in two years. Despite suffering an elbow injury that has sidelined Williams for the majority of the 2008 Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler, he chose to compete in Oklahoma City and defend his title. The decision earned the Texas cowboy an historic $525,000 in PBR bucks, the largest winner’s purse in bull riding history.
“I really don’t think anyone expected me to win, not that they doubted my riding ability, but with my elbow being messed up, I obviously had a strike against me,” said Williams. “I was border-line scared to get on the first one because I didn’t know how my elbow was going to feel. It’s a bad injury and very painful. I will be the first to tell you I was super nervous on that first bull.’’
As the only cowboy to successfully ride all three of his bulls, Williams easily claimed the event title with 258 total points. In the first round of competition he rode Frontier Rodeo Company’s Coyote Bill for 84.25 points and 13th place in the round. During the second round, Sunday afternoon Williams made the eight second whistle aboard Hale/Hicks & McCraken’s Cheap Trick and received a score of 84.5 points, enough for 16th place in the round. But it was his ride in the Championship Round that sealed the deal for Williams. He scored 89.25 points on Chad Berger/Clay Struve’s Team Equine’s Evil Forces.
“If they would have given me pencil and paper and let me pick them, I couldn’t have done it any better,” Williams said of the bulls.
In only his second year competing in the PBR, Williams has rapidly become a dominant force in the sport. In 2007, he became the PBR’s “Cinderella” by advancing from the Qualifier Rounds to claim the Challenger Tour Championship and the Daisy PBR Rookie of the Year award. The $525,000 he won this weekend more than doubled his career earnings to a total of $844,247.31 and catapulted him into the 20th spot in the all-time PBR career earnings standings.
“My grandpa always told me I could retire when I got $3 million in the bank,” Williams said. “Just because of Oklahoma City last year and this year, I’m a third of the way there.”
Williams will most likely undergo surgery on his elbow to repair the damage he suffered in a bull riding accident sustained at a Challenger Tour event in Pueblo, Colo. last month, but has plans to make the PBR’s 2008 Built Ford Tough World Finals presented by Wrangler in Las Vegas, Nev. this fall. The win in Oklahoma City guarantees him a spot at the elite bull riding event.
“They’ve (his ligaments) torn completely loose. They are going to build two new ligaments and put them in there. It’s a very tough surgery. I’m going to be out six months and that’s one of the things I’m going to have to consider right now, whether to keep riding or actually have surgery.
“Dr. Tandy (Freeman) didn’t think it was great idea for me to come, but being the great doctor that Tandy is, he said I can’t hurt it any worse. He knows with my attitude that I wanted to be here. He gave me the go ahead, and thank God he did.
“To come back and ride three good bulls in a row, I hate to go have surgery now. But being a business man that is something that I am just going to have to think about. In the end, if I had to say right now, I am leaning toward having surgery.”
Bryan Richardson (Dallas, Texas) overcame a slow start in round one to claim second place in the event. He was bucked off of Chad Berger/Ryken/Rosen’s Sir Patrick on Saturday night but came back on Sunday afternoon with two outstanding rides. In the second round he scored 88.25 points aboard Davis/White’s Smiley and split fourth place in the round. In the championship round of the Copenhagen Bull Riding Challenger Tour Championship presented by Dickies, Richardson claimed the round victory with 90 points aboard Page & Buck’s Savage Shaker. His total score of 178.25 points will make his travels back to Texas much sweeter with $112,000 in his pocket.
Brazil ’s Robson Palermo (Acre, Rio Branco) wrapped up third place with 177.75 points. He added $83,000 toward his bid for the 2008 PBR World Finals. Rounding out the top five was Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) with 176.75 points and $25,000 and Jared Farley (Kempsey, NSW, AU) with 176.5 points and $17,000 in earnings.
The Express Open Qualifying event offered up and coming young bull riders an opportunity to qualify for the Copenhagen Bull Riding Challenger Tour Championship presented by Dickies in a two-round event Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. The top ten riders from this qualifier advanced to the Challenger Tour Championship. It was Kolt Donaldson (Idabel, Okla.) who walked away with $18,000 in PBR bucks and the Express Open event title. Donaldson ended up in 15th place at the Challenger Tour Championship.
In conjunction with the Express Open on Friday night, the bucking bulls where also in competition during the American Bucking Bull Inc. (ABBI) Classic. The event featured three and four year old bucking bulls competing for top honors and the opportunity to compete at the World Bucking Bull Classic held during the PBR World Finals. Boyd/Floyd Bull Company’s Lightening McQueen and Circle T Ranch and Rodeo’s Outa Da Bleu split top honors in the event with 89.25 points. Both contractors earned $8,702.25 for their bull’s performances. Third place was claimed by D&H Cattle Co.’s Crooked Face with 89 points.
The 2008 PBR Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler will continue next weekend with the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational in St. Louis, Mo. VERSUS will air the event live on Saturday, February 23 at 8:00 p.m. ET, the third and Championship rounds will air on Sunday, February 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Can number one man, Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) maintain his lead over Brazil’s Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, BZ)? The grueling week-in and week-out schedule of the BFTS resumes next week.
Injury Report:
Tony Mendes (Pueblo, Colo.) aggravated an injury to his right knee and is probable for competition in St. Louis next weekend.
Jody Newberry (Ada, Okla.) sustained a groin strain and torn artery in his left leg during the second round of the Express Open. He was transferred to an area hospital for further evaluation. He is out of competition.
Copenhagen Bull Riding Challenger Tour Championship presented by Dickies Results:
Round One Results:
1 ) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 89.25 points on Frontier Rodeo Company’s Little Big Man, $32,000; 2) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 89 points on Rex Swearingin’s Can Rock, $24,000; 3/4) L.J. Jenkins (Texico, N.M.) 87.75 points on John & Lacey Berger/Clay Struve’s Strong Heart, $12,000; 3/4) Kolt Donaldson (Idabel, Okla.) 87.75 points on Danny Lemmons’ Splat Kat, $12,000; 5/6) Clayton Foltyn (El Campo, Texas) 87.25 points on Chad Berger/Larry Ryken’s Live Wire; 5/6) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre Brazil) 87.25 points on Chad Berger/Winston Loe’s Gold Bell Wine.
Round Two Results:
1) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil) 90.5 points on Andrews Rodeo Co. Inc.’s Fender Bender, $32,000; 2) Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 89.25 points on Chad Berger/Ryken/Hawks’ Scaredy Cat, $24,000; 3) Josh Koschel (Loveland, Colo.) 89 points on Chad Berger/Larry Ryken’s Bad Action, $16,000; 4/5) J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) 88.25 points on Hale/Hicks & McCraken’s Full Circle, $4,000; 4/5) Bryan Richardson (Dallas, Texas) 88.25 points on Davis/White’s Smiley, $4,000.
Championship Round Results:
1 ) Bryan Richardson (Dallas, Texas) 90 points on Page & Buck’s Savage Shaker, $32,000; 2) Clayton Williams (Carthage, Texas) 89.25 points on Chad Berger/Clay Struve’s Team Equine’s Evil Forces, $24,000; 3) Jared Farley (Kempsey, NSW, AU) 88.5 points on Chad Berger/Larry Ryken’s Walk The Line, $16,000; 4) L.J. Jenkins (Texico, N.M.) 88.25 points on Chad Berger/Ryken/Rosen’s Mean Machine, $8,000; 5) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 87.75 points on Taylor Made Bucking Bulls’ Smokeless Wardance.
Overall Event Results:
1) Clayton Williams (Carthage, Texas) 258 points, $525,000; 2) Bryan Richardson (Dallas, Texas) 178.25 points, $112,000; 3) Robson Palermo (Acre, Rio Branco, Brazil) 177.75 points, $83,000; 4) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 176.75 points, $25,000; 5) Jared Farley (Kempsey, NSW, AU) 176.5 points, $17,000.
Express Open Qualifier Results:
Round One Results:
1) Kolt Donaldson (Idabel, Okla.) 90.25 points on Ty Rinaldo TZ Bucking Bulls’ Flashover, $12,000; 2/3) Brian Herman (Victoria, Texas) 87 points on Mark Campbell’s Monkeyshine, $7,500; 2/3) Jarrod Craig (Hillsboro, Texas) 87 points on Mendell/Lane/Downard’s Chester, $7,500; 4/5) Ross Coleman (Molalla, Ore.) 86.75 points on Diamond S Bucking Bulls’ Brass Cat, $1,500; 4/5) Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) 86.75 points on Rex Swearingin’s Can Rock, $1,500.
Round Two Results:
1 ) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 89 points on Boyd/Floyd Bull Company’s Hornet, $12,000; 2) Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) 88.75 points on Page & Teague Bucking Bulls’ Air Time, $9,000; 3) Kolt Donaldson (Idabel, Okla.) 88 points on Page & Teague Bucking Bulls’ Recoil, $6,000; 4) Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) 87.25 points on Boyd/Floyd Bull Company’s Wild Life, $3,000.
Overall Event Results:
1) Kolt Donaldson (Idabel, Okla.) 178.25 points, $18,000; 2) Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) 174 points, $4,500; 3) Brian Herman (Victoria, Texas) 173.75 points, $7,500; 4) Jarrod Craig (Hillsboro, Texas) 173 points, $7,500; 5) Ross Coleman (Molalla, Ore.) 172.75 points, $1,500.
ABBI Classic Results:
1/2) Boyd/Floyd Bull Company’s Lightening McQueen, 89.25 points, $8,702.25; 1/2) Circle T Ranch and Rodeo’s Outa Da Bleu, 89.25 points, $8,702.25; 3) D&H Cattle Company’s Crooked Face, 89 points, $4,746.96; 4) 5 G Farms’ Rowdy Houldum, 88.75 points, $3,955.80; 5) 4C’s/Sills/Barker’s Little Bo, 88.25 points, $3,362.43.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Bill Davis Racing has announced that it will tap into its pool of veteran Cup Series drivers to pilot the No. 27 Toyota Camry during the next several Sprint Cup Series races. Truck Series standouts Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson are both expected to step behind the wheel of BDR’s No. 27 entry.
Bill Davis Racing will continue to support Jacques Villeneuve in his pursuit of a successful career in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Villeneuve failed to make the Daytona 500 when he crashed out of the second Gatorade Duel.
“We know that Jacques has the talent and the desire to be in NASCAR, and are diligently working on a long-term relationship with him,” team owner Bill Davis said.
Mike Skinner, last year’s Truck Series runner-up, will drive the No. 27 Toyota Camry next weekend at California Speedway.
4C’s Bucking Bulls and Training takes lead in Bull Team Challenge Competition
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ANAHEIM, Calif. (February 10, 2008) – When the lights dimmed on the Anaheim Invitational, which was stop No. 8 on the Professional Bull Rider’s (PBR) Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler (BFTS), it was Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, Brazil) who rode away with the win, proving that nice guys can indeed finish first. Three electrifying performances featuring the greatest bull riders in the world wowed fans who made their way to the Honda Center February 8-10. The Anaheim Invitational featured the world’s top 45 bull riders gunning for the tour’s million dollar PBR World Championship title as they engaged in all the hard-hitting action typical of PBR tour events.
Dominating Naccarato Bucking Bulls’ All In for 90.5 points during the Built Ford Tough Championship Round, Crimber became the first, and ultimately the only man to ride four bulls during the Anaheim Invitational. Surprisingly, the Anaheim Invitational represents only Crimber’s second career BFTS event title. His mega-watt smile has not graced the winner’s circle since he won the Worcester, Mass., event title in 2001. Finishing out of the money in rounds one and two, splitting sixth and seventh in round three, and finally notching the win during the short go, Crimber’s steady persistence led him to victory.
Understandably, after waiting seven years to savor another BFTS event win, the Anaheim Invitational victory held special significance for Crimber.
“I sure can’t complain,” Crimber said good-naturedly. “I’m healthy this season and riding well. I’m drawing good and I think right now I have the whole package. I’m ready for a gold buckle.”
The nine-time PBR World Finals qualifier who finished ninth in the world in 2007, boasts a 78.26 riding percentage this season and has ridden 18 of the 23 bulls he has drawn en route to placing among the top five at four of the eight tour stops held to date. Crimber has amassed $1,094,781 in career earnings and has been a fixture on the BFTS since 1999. Crimber moved from fifth in the world standings to No. 2 thanks to the Anaheim victory and certainly has the million dollar PBR title well within range. He trails world standings leader Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) by a scant 71.75 BFTS points.
For the third time this season, the draft, which takes place during all three-day BFTS events, enabled riders to strategize their way — as well as ride — to victory. Bull riders selected their second round bull in the order based upon how well they finished in the first go round. The draft process was then repeated after the third round with the riders who qualified for the short-go selecting from among the 15 bulls slated to buck in the Built Ford Tough Championship Round.
Crimber picked seventh, while Brendon Clark (Morpeth, NSW, Australia) held the No. 1 draft selection since he led the event with a total on three bulls of 264.75 points. Clark chose Julio and Cindy Moreno’s 2007 American Bucking Bull, Inc. (ABBI) Classic champion, the unridden bull Troubadour, as the one he would face in the final round. However, Troubadour lived up to his formidable reputation, turfing Clark, who was the last man to ride in the finals and the last with a chance to steal victory from Crimber. Crimber’s total of 344.25 points on four bulls was worth $28,796 in PBR bucks.
Adding a new twist to round one action, Friday night featured two men vying for a $25,000 reward in the Enterprise Challenge, a bonus program designed exclusively for the event. As the Team Enterprise rider with the highest round one score, Billy Robinson (Galax, Va.) battled round one winner Brendon Clark (Morpeth, NSW, Australia) for the bonus. The bulls were pre-selected for the challenge by PBR Livestock Director Cody Lambert and Robinson faced Priest Creek Ranches’ 3 Spot, while Clark was up against Ryan McClure’s Hypnotic. Robinson earned 88.5 points for his effort aboard 3 Spot to edge Clark, who scored 88.25, by just one quarter of one point for the $25,000.
Additionally, the Anaheim Invitational was the second of 17 events on the 2008 Bull Team Challenge tour. Twenty-two teams have been formed, each providing $50,000 for the opportunity to win their share of the $1.1 million total competition purse throughout the 2008 season. With 223.25 points earned this weekend, the 4C’s Bucking Bulls and Training team overtook the lead in the bull team standings from The Tom and Jerry Show team, owned by Elise Griffin, who won in Winston-Salem, N.C. The 4C’s team pocketed $20,000 while the team of Northern Exposure scored 223 points for second, which was worth $10,000. For more information and the official rules on the PBR’s new Bull Team Challenge, please visit http://www.pbrnow.com/competition/BullTeams.
The race for PBR’s million dollar world title takes the top 45 to St. Louis, Mo. on February 22-24 with the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational. VERSUS airs PBR events every Saturday and Sunday evening. Be sure to check www.pbrnow.com for upcoming cities, ticket information and complete broadcast times.
Injury Report:
Greg Potter (Queensland, AUS) suffered broken ribs but is probable to compete in St. Louis, Mo.
Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) sprained his right foot but is probable to compete in St. Louis, Mo.
BEHIND THE CHUTES:
Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s “Ride with the Best” Bonus:
As the winner of the second round of the North Carolina Invitational last weekend, Billy Robinson (Galax, Va.) was eligible for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Ride with the Best” bonus money on Friday night in Anaheim. Robinson successfully covered Western Rodeo, Inc.’s Stinger for 87 points to claim the $5,000 bonus. As the Anaheim Invitational first round winner, Brendon Clark (Morpeth, NSW, Australia) was eligible to compete for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Ride with the Best” $5,000 bonus ride on Saturday night. Clark successfully covered Priest Creek Ranch’s 3 Spot for 88.5 points to claim the $5,000 bonus. Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil) was eligible to compete for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Ride with the Best” bonus money in round three on Sunday afternoon. Palermo made a qualified ride on Priest Creek Ranch’s Brass Knuckles to claim the $5,000 reward. As the winner of the third round of the Anaheim Invitational, J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) will be eligible for the bonus during the first round in St. Louis, Mo.
Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus:
Brendon Clark (Morpeth, NSW, Australia) led the event going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round but did not win the Anaheim Invitational event title; therefore he did not claim the $10,000 Ford Truck Moment of Truth bonus. The bonus will grow to $15,000 at the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational in St. Louis, MO. The bonus grows by $5,000 each week if it is not claimed. Once claimed, it returns to $5,000.
Ford Super Duty Challenge:
As the Anaheim Invitational event winner Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, SP, Brazil) has qualified for a chance to compete at the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals, against all other 2008 Built Ford Tough Series event winners, for $50,000 toward the purchase of a 2009 Ford Super Duty Truck. The Ford Super Duty Challenge contestant who finishes the highest in the event aggregate during the 2008 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals will win the Ford Super Duty Challenge.
Salem NationaLease Bull of the Event:
God’s Gift, owned by Don Kish Bucking Bulls, was the high marked bull of the event with a score of 47.5 points, and was awarded $1,250 as a part of Salem NationaLease’s exciting bonus program. The program awards $1,250 to the top bull of the event as determined by the PBR judges’ bull scores.
Cabela’s World’s Foremost Ride:
Brendon Clark (Morpeth, NSW, Australia) recorded the highest marked ride of the event when he topped Judd Leffew/Gary Isabel’s SoulJa Boy for 90.5 points during the Anaheim Invitational. In doing so, he earned a $1,000 bonus.
The rider who achieves the highest score at each BFTS regular season event, excluding the PBR World Finals receives a bonus of $1,000 for the accomplishment. The PBR athlete who achieves the highest marked qualifying ride during the entire 2008 BFTS regular season, excluding the PBR World Finals event will receive $25,000, while second and third place finishers will be awarded $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. The bull rider that achieves the highest marked ride through the course of the entire 2008 PBR BFTS World Finals will earn an additional $10,000.
Anaheim Invitational Results:
ROUND ONE: 1) Brendon Clark (Morpeth, NSW, Australia) 90.5 points on Judd Leffew/Gary Isabel’s SoulJa Boy, $7,000; 2) Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) 90 points on Homestead Genetics Wrangler Magic, $5,000; 3/4) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil) 87 points on George Walschon/Gene Baker/Home’s Bravo, $2,500; 3/4) Billy Robinson (Galax, Va.) 87 points on Western Rodeo Inc.’s Stinger, $2,500.
ROUND TWO: 1) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil) 90.5 points on Kaycee Simpson’s Tighty Whitey, $2,730; 2) Pistol Robinson (Burleson, Texas) 90 points on 4C’s/James Sills’ Carrillo Cartel, $1,950; 3) Cord McCoy (Tupelo, Okla.) 89.25 points on 4C’s/James Sills/Burba’s Total Darkness, $1,170; 4/5) Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) 88.75 points on Corey & Horst Rodeo Company Inc.’s Re-Vamp, $624; 4/5) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 88.75 points on Homestead Genetics’ Wrangler Magic, $624.
ROUND THREE: 1) J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) 90.25 points on 4C’s Bucking Bulls/Marvin Nixon’s Devil’s Night, $2,730; 2) Pistol Robinson (Burleson, Texas) 88.25 points on Western Rodeos, Inc.’s Popsicle, $1,950; 3) L.J. Jenkins (Texico, N.M) 88 points on Corey & Horst Rodeo Company Inc.’s Hellfire, $1,170; 4) Dustin Elliott (North Platte, Neb.) 87.75 points on Flying U/Moreno Bucking Bulls’ Hombre, $780;
BUILT FORD TOUGH CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND: 1) Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 90.5 points on Naccarato Bucking Bulls’ All In, $2,730; 2) J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) 88.75 points on Chumley/Katich/R&L’s Dr. Proctor, $1,950; 3) Dustin Elliott (North Platte, Neb.) 87.5 points on 4C’s/ Alex Naccarato’s Squaw’s Dream, $1,170; 4) Nick Landreneau (Sulphur, La.) 83.25 points on Don Kish Bucking Bulls’ Scoundrel, $780;
OVERALL EVENT STANDINGS: 1) Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 344.25 points, $28,796; 2) Brendon Clark (Morpeth, NSW, Australia) 264.75 points, $26,312; 3) Pistol Robinson (Burleson, Texas) 264 points, $12,400; 4/5) J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) 263.5 points, $9,848; 4/5) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil) 263.5 points, $15,157;
BUILT FORD TOUGH WORLD STANDINGS: (The PBR World Champion is based on total Built Ford Tough Series points earned through the season)
1) Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) 3,338.25, $209,236; 2) Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 3,266.5 points, $62,036; 3) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 3,188.5 points, $49,287; 4) Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) 2,617 points, $44,096; 5) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, Brazil) 2,592.25 points, $27,739; 6) Kasey Hayes (Liberal, Kans.) 2,552.25 points, $76,967; 7) J.B. Mauney (Mooresville. N.C.) 2,490.5 points, $52,237; 8 ) Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) 2,316.5 points, $31,856; 9) Nick Landreneau (Sulphur, La.) 2,239.5 points, $62,542; 10) L.J. Jenkins (Texico, N.M.) 2,198 points, $31,226.
Courtesy of Enterprise Rent-A-Car at the Professional Bull Riders’ Anaheim Invitational!
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PUEBLO, Colo. (February 6, 2008) – Friday night at the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) Anaheim Invitational means more than just 8 seconds to the top 45 men on the PBR’s elite Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler (BFTS) tour. It could also mean $25,000 to the best of the best that evening.
On February 8th, the first night of the three-day, February 8-10, BFTS event in Anaheim, CA, two men will battle for $25,000 in the Enterprise Challenge, a one-time only bonus program designed especially for the Anaheim Invitational, pitting the evening’s best men in a head-to-head battle.
The Anaheim Invitational’s round one winner will have a chance to ride an additional bull that evening for the Enterprise Challenge bonus. Competing alongside him for the money will be the top performing Team Enterprise bull rider of the evening. Each man will ride one of the two specially selected Enterprise Challenge bounty bulls. Whichever man records the highest score wins the bonus! If neither rider is able to cover their bull, the $25,000 is donated to the PBR’s Resistol Relief Fund which supports injured bull riders.
The active Team Enterprise bull riders include: Matt Bohon (Cole Camp, MO), Brian Canter (Randleman, NC), 2005 PBR Rookie of the Year Kody Lostroh (Longmont, CO), Cord McCoy (Tupelo, OK), Billy Robinson (Galax, VA), Steven Shelley (Natural Dam, AR), and Colby Yates (Fort Worth, TX).
Priest Creek Ranches’ 3 Spot and Ryan McClure’s Hypnotic are the bulls that were chosen by PBR Livestock Director Cody Lambert for this challenge. They are evenly matched and powerful and will present a competitive and thrilling bonus round. Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, NM) recently rode 3 Spot for 89.25 points to win $105,000 at the winner-take-all event in Fresno, CA; the following evening Brendon Clark (Morpeth, AU) turned in an 89.50 point ride on him in Sacramento. Hypnotic gave J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, NC) and Colby Yates (Fort Worth, TX) 90.75 and 91.00 point rides respectively at the Sacramento Classic just three weeks ago. These bovine athletes are up to the challenge, ready to buck to a top score and a win in the Enterprise Challenge.
To experience all of the excitement of the Anaheim Invitational and the Enterprise Challenge in person, fans can purchase tickets at the Honda Center box office, and via ticketmaster.com . The Enterprise Challenge will also be featured on the NBC broadcast of the Anaheim Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 9th at 4:30 p.m. ET (please check your local listings for detailed times in your area). Rounds two and three and the Built Ford Tough Championship round will air on VERSUS on Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 p.m. ET.
After earning his Nitro Funny Car license during testing at Firebird International Raceway last week, Bob Tasca III and the entire Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Shelby Mustang team look forward to their first event of the season this weekend during the 48th Annual CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals in Pomona, Calif.
The season-opening event will mark the first Nitro Funny Car event for the 32-year-old rookie who has competed in select Top Alcohol races the past three seasons.
Bob Tasca III – Driver, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Shelby Mustang Nitro Funny Car:
YOU EARNED YOUR NITRO FUNNY CAR LICENSE LAST WEEK TESTING AT PHOENIX. “I can tell you that it was a pressure-packed week of testing. We lost the Las Vegas test session because the car or the race-car chassis just didn’t get done in time. So that kind of put us a little behind the eight ball. The track conditions were extremely difficult. We were dealing with 40-degree weather when we got to the race track and 68-degree weather come race time and then went back to 50-degree weather by the time the night session came, so when you add it all together, we were really under the gun. The track conditions were tough, we had a new team, a brand-new race car that truthfully, there’s only one other car like ours out on the race track, we have the updated chassis with the new framing system which no one has any experience with tuning as far as what the car likes. When you add all that up, it really put us under an awful lot of pressure come Thursday morning.
“We went into Thursday and we had not had a full run under our belt and I needed two runs [to get his license]. We get to the track Thursday morning and the car went out there and shook and as a new driver in a fuel car, it was really, in hindsight, beneficial for me to feel the car when it’s unhappy, and I pedaled it on that first run. We did that on the first run and went 310 mph at 5.1 seconds, so that was one of the two runs that I needed. We came back out for the afternoon run and it shook and I pedaled it twice and we lost the engine. The car went 301 and 5.6, but I needed it to go 5.5 or quicker, so we were .1 away. It was really projecting for all of the time and effort that we put in. We knew the night run, the late afternoon run was going to be a difficult one because the weather was getting colder and the track was getting colder. We pulled up and were literally the last car or one of the last cars down the track. It went out and rattled a very slight rattle and I pedaled it as quick as I ever pedaled a car in my life and it hooked up and went 4.9, 317 mph and I can tell you that I almost didn’t want to pull the parachute. I said, ‘Let’s just keep on going to Pomona,” because we were absolutely all kind of burned out and way on overload to get this thing done and out of the way.
“At the end of the day, we made great progress. The team did an excellent job of working together for really the first time to service the car. From a driver’s standpoint, it was really invaluable to me to feel the car when it’s not happy and what needs to be done as a driver to correct the situation and to get the car to go down the race track. We made some night runs, which was pretty neat. The first time I stepped on the throttle at night I thought I was on fire. I never realized how much of the flame the driver actually can see in the car. But that was a pretty neat experience. I really give a lot of credit to how much time I spent in that alcohol car because the characteristics of the car were very similar – how it steered, how it stopped. It just pulled a lot harder than I ever felt in the alcohol car. We ran 263 mph to the eighth [mile] and that’s typically what we make on a full run in the alcohol car. The acceleration was just incredible, how hard the car accelerates.”
ARE YOU FEELING MORE COMFORTABLE IN THE NITRO CAR? “Yes. There is no question that the car is violent. It’s much more violent than the alcohol car. It’s literally an explosion when you hit that throttle and it shakes harder and it shakes quicker – when it moves, it moves quicker. It’s just more. Again the time I spent in the alcohol car was invaluable to give me a baseline of how to steer it. Some of the things to correct tire shake in an alcohol car are shifting and pedaling it, where in a nitro car, the only option is to pedal it because you can’t shift it. So I really started to hone in and by the end of the test session, I was catching the tire shake quicker, I was pedaling it quicker. John Force and Robert Hight signed my license and John has really been a mentor for me. He came up to me and said, ‘Kid, if this thing went down the race track perfect, you’d kind of have a false expectation. This is what these cars do. They smoke and they shake, they’re a violent ride and as a driver, you need to be able to feel that, you need to be able to react to that as quick as you can to try and save the run.’ I think at the end of the day we were all happy with the progress we made with the fuel curve and the ignition curve and the clutch setup and we feel quite comfortable.”
THIS WEEKEND IS A BIG ONE FOR A TEAM THAT DIDN’T HAVE CARS OR EQUIPMENT JUST FOUR MONTHS AGO. “Exactly. When you look at where we’ve come since Thanksgiving. Literally, the first day of work was the Monday after Thanksgiving. So, to go from the end of November to December and January, basically two full months of actual work. We had some stuff on order prior to that, but two months of actual work is just a real tribute to my team and I just can’t acknowledge their efforts and how hard they work. This test session was seven days. It was three to four runs per day and when you do the math, that’s like running three races back-to-back-to-back. It was just an immense amount of work. We were obviously all under the gun to get the license. That would have been a horrible way to start the year off to not be licensed for Pomona. But we’re excited about it. We all feel pretty confident and heck, if the New York Giants can beat the New England Patriots, then don’t count us out at Pomona.”
WHAT IS THE THING THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST THIS WEEKEND? “The biggest thing I think for us is the satisfaction to know that we made it and now it’s time to race. A lot of people congratulated me and now my email back is that now we race. And that’s what we’re focused on. We’re focused on qualifying; we’re focused at one run at a time. People say, ‘Gee, what do you expect for Pomona?’ I expect that we perform and gauge ourselves on each run. Not to get ahead of ourselves to predict the qualifying position or the win, we want to be focused on racing each round, each day, each event. The rest will take care of itself because if you can qualify, if you can win rounds, if you can win races, you can win championships, but it starts with the first time the car goes down the race track. Now we’re ready to race and that’s what I’m looking forward to in Pomona, just to get the race going.”
WHAT ARE YOU AND YOUR TEAM HOPING TO LEARN THIS WEEKEND? “I think in our first race we’re going to learn a little bit more about the car. We’re going to learn on how close we think our tune-up is and I really think the first five races for us is what we really need to get a foundation for us. We have a very, very thin foundation at this point obviously with just one test session on a difficult track. But the first five races are critical for us to establish a solid baseline that we can build off of. Obviously we have high expectations for this program and for our team, but we’re not naïve. It’s a learning curve that we have to stay focused on and work very hard at and I feel very confident in how we can end the season.”
