UNCASVILLE, Conn. (October 2, 2010) - In less than three weeks, the Top 40 riders in the world will converge on Las Vegas for the 2010 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals.
As it stands right now, Stormy Wing is the 40th man listed in the qualifier standings, with slightly less than a $3,000 lead over Caleb Sanderson. If the 21-year-old can maintain his place in the standings, it will be his first trip to the Finals.
“It’s in the back of my mind,” Wing said. “I’m not going to lie. I try not to think about it and just go out and have fun and let the rest of it take care of itself.”
Friday night, in Uncasville, Conn., the rookie rode Roll On for 86.75 points. But his season now depends more on money than points.
Since debuting on the Built Ford Tough Series earlier this season in Tampa, Fla., he’s competed in 17 events and earned $49,561. His best finish came in Pueblo, Colo., when he finished fifth in the average.
Despite his youth and lack of experience on the BFTS, he’s aware of the need to focus on riding his bulls, having fun and not worrying about what competitors like Zack Brown, Robson Aragao, Cord McCoy or Sanderson are doing this weekend at the Mohegan Sun Invitational.
“When guys start thinking about it,” he said, “that’s when they go to pressuring up.
“This is what we do every day. You learn to ride bulls in your head and not think about that stuff, so you don’t pressure up.”
Wing was one of 22 riders to put his name on the leader board in the opening round.
Of the four riders with the best opportunity to pass him, only Brown made the whistle. The veteran scored 83.5 points and is 19th in the average with three rounds remaining.
“All those guys ride good,” said Wing, “and I know they’re going to show up and do their part every weekend, so that’s what I have to do. I can’t worry about that.”
Sanderson is ranked 25th in the world standings, but is 41st in the qualifier standings with $46,685.
Aragao and McCoy are competing as alternates, while Brown is a regional invitee for being among the top money earners in the eastern region of the Touring Pro Division.
“You have to be grateful and thankful you have the opportunity,” said Brown, who has labored through the 2010 season after winning four BFTS events and finishing 8th in the world standings last year. “You really need to capitalize on them. That’s my goal, this weekend, to capitalize on the opportunity that was given to me.”
Brown has about $4,000 he needs to make up on Wing, who drew the aptly named No Vacancy in Round 2. Ironically, Wing is hoping there’s no room for Brown or any others in Vegas. At least not as his expense.
“I just did what I should do and made the whistle,” said Wing, who’s hoping to finish the weekend with a hefty payday on Sunday.
“I got that first one down and I’m looking forward to the next two days.”
