The Race is on for the Premier Title in Professional Bull Riding – The PBR World Championship!

By Courtesy of the PBR
Posted Friday, October 9, 2009

NEW YORK, N.Y. (October 5, 2009) - The 2009 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Built Ford Tough World Finals will showcase the greatest bull riding athletes on the planet in Las Vegas as they vie for more than $3 million in prize money. For the sixth time in its 16-year history, the PBR World Finals will span two consecutive weekends, Oct. 30-Nov. 1 and Nov. 5-8, 2009. This marquee event represents the crown jewel of bull riding and culminates the 31-city 2009 Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) tour.

For the second consecutive year, both weekends of the PBR World Finals will be held at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) beginning on Friday, Oct. 30, and concluding on Sunday, Nov. 8, at which time the PBR’s 2009 World Champion will be crowned, earning a $1 million bonus in the process. Tickets start at as little as $30 and can be purchased online at www.unlvtickets.com or by phone at 866.PBR.SHOW.

The Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino will act as the Official Host Hotel of the PBR and will house the year's Top 40 bull riders who qualify for this prestigious event based on money won during the regular season. The hotel will also play host to the PBR Fan Zone & Marketplace, the World Champions Circle – Award Show & Dinner, Official PBR After-Parties, and many other activities. To see all activities at the 2009 World Finals, please visit http://www.pbrnow.com/competition/bfts/09eventpages/worldfinals/activities.cfm?id=3232&list=full.

Fans will be treated to the tightest race in PBR history that is sure to come down to the last ride on Sunday’s Championship Round. The PBR’s current no. 1 man, Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) has found himself atop the leader board for the majority of the year. As of event no. 29 of 31, Lostroh has claimed five event titles even with an injured elbow. Can the 2005 PBR Daisy Rookie of the Year maintain the no. 1 spot and claim the 2009 World Championship?

Currently sitting second in the point race is 2008 World Champion Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, Brazil) finally took his first world-title after finishing runner-up for three consecutive years. One of the most consistent riders in PBR history, Marchi is looking to be the first rider in PBR history to claim back-to-back titles.

North Carolina superstar J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) has claimed four event titles in 2009. The 22-year-old has qualified for the short-go in 21 of 29 events thus far—more than any other rider this year. As last year’s runner-up to the world title, Mauney is on a mission to make 2009 his year.

Rounding out the Top 5 are Brazilian Valdiron de Oliveira (Aparecida de Goiania, Brazil) and PBR veteran Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas). Oliveira has shown consistency despite suffering injuries at the beginning of the season while Brown has claimed three BFTS event wins in 2009. Both men’s current rankings justify their status as strong contenders for the 2009 PBR World Championship.

With a total of 6,500 points available at the 2009 World Finals, any one of the other riders who are currently sitting in the Top 12 are, statistically, within striking distance of the title. Those riders include two-time World Champion Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.), Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil), Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho), Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, Brazil), Ryan McConnel (Colgate, Okla.), Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.), and Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.).

The 2009 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals will consist of seven rounds of competition. The riders with the top 15 scores on seven bulls will advance to one final Championship Round to determine the 2009 World Champion. The World Finals will be broadcast LIVE each night on VERSUS with the final day being broadcast on NBC. Additionally, a one-hour special will air on CBS on Sunday, November 1. Please check your local listings for times and more information.

For more information on the 2009 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals, visit www.pbrnow.com or contact Katharine Sherrer at 719.242.2800 ext. 3372 or Katharine@pbrnow.com.

All roads are leading to Las Vegas and you don’t want to miss out on any of the action at the 2009 Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas, Nev. The world-class event will take place on Oct. 30-Nov 1 and Nov. 5-8 at the Thomas & Mack Center---get your tickets NOW at 866.PBR.SHOW or unlvtickets.com!