It's hard to tell a bullrider that the million dollar bonus for being the best bullrider in the world isn't worth trying for.
It was just that with Justin McBride for the second night in a row as he and Stock Contractor of the Year Chad Berger and Larry Ryken teamed up again to win the round.
On Thursday night, no one in the Thomas & Mack Center would have believed you if you had Justin winning the world title after the first 3 rounds. Since then, his ascent looked like his introduction tonight, when they hooked a cable to a harness and flew him around the T & M rafters. After his 91.50 and third 90 pointer of the finals, he is looking like a man on a mission. He made a huge statement tonight with his ride as he watched the first 44 bullriders try to get to him.
The pressure must be tremendous as McBride's night unwinds, but you know that he has been in this position before, in 2005 when he needed to ride his last bull to win the million. Tonight in front of the sold out 17,000 plus he has tried to put the finishing letters on that Gold Buckle.
Up until the top ten riders in round 6, the PBR fans had only seen 4 qualified rides out of 35 guys. It was L.J Jenkins 86 on Sand Trap and McKennon Wimberly rode the bull of last year's PBR World Finals, Lucky Strike, for 85 points.
With Tater Porter's looming retirement, he keeps ticking like a Timex and moved himself in contention for an average check with his third ride of the finals on Total Darkness for 87. Australian Brendon Clark continues to have his best finals on record with his 87 on Windtwister and has now covered 4 bulls in the 6 rounds of competition.
Going into the intermission break, it was bull 31 - Cowboys 4 but what the fans wanted to see was the final flight because this is where the race is going to be decided. Kody Lostroh is also having finals to remember as he covered his bull Live Wire of Berger / Ryken to finish second with his 90 point ride. It was the littlest guy on the BFTS turn as Brian Canter stepped up for his 88.25 on Strong Heart, another Berger Bucker but this one is owned by the kids of the Berger family John & Lacey Berger / Clay Struve. Robson Palermo stuck it on Brother Jake which hadn't been ridden until tonight for 86.25 and finish 6th. Sean Willingham and Wiley Petersen put a pair of 86's on the board to tie with L.J. Jenkins 86 earlier to split 7/8/9th.
It was now time for the top 3 contenders of the World Championship and it was Guillherme Marchi's 84.25 on Scentloc to finish just out of the top 10 tonight and end his night with no bonus points to add to the chase.
J.B. Mauney left the arena with a badly bruised shoulder/arm pit as he hit the arena floor at 7.3 seconds and Dr Tandy Freeman had an update on him as he is sore but will compete tomorrow afternoon. I'm pretty sure that he understands what it takes to become a world champion in the PBR and you would probably have to haul him out in a body bag to not be ready for the final round.
Justin sitting in the bucking chute ready to go saw J.B. leave the arena and McBride set his sights on the beast underneath. The gate cracked and Bad Action bailed out of the chute the first jump and Justin was right with him. As the buzzer sounded, there wasn't a seat at the T & M that someone was sitting in. The entire 17,000 were standing and the scores were coming in. As they posted it high on the USSTC scoreboard, the confetti flew for the second night in a row on the last ride of the night. It read 91.25 for the win and the bonus of 400 points. He has now extended his lead for the world to over 2500 points and must maintain that lead as Guillherme Marchi may not be winning rounds but he's ridden his bulls for the average points.
As the night ended, the PBR paid tribute to a legend in professional rodeo and holder of 16 World Championships, Jim Shoulders and the evening ended with another cowboy trying to stamp his status in history: Justin McBride.
As we go to the final round tomorrow, it will be Justin's mission to stay in the top 15 of the average to compete in the short go with all the others. Tonight’s ride moves him from 19th in the average to 6th and it's a whole new game for Sunday afternoon. His last 3 nights have paid him $50,000 and moved him over the $700,000 dollar mark for the year and he is feeling like a million bucks. Sunday should be good watching as the Rodeo Attitude crew will be here in full force.
Have a great night and see you all Sunday afternoon from Las Vegas for the crowning of a New World Champion Bullrider. The after party is set to begin at the Mandalay Bay so I must let you go from here. Until Then, Good Night
J. W. Kinder
Professional Rodeo Announcer
(All Photos by Mary Rudloff)
