For the third year in a row, the Built Ford Tough Series is making its way to Winston-Salem, N.C.

The seventh event of the season is a home game of sorts for last year’s winner J.B. Mauney, who grew up an hour southwest in Mooresville.

Shane Proctor relocated to the area last year, and Brian Canter is from nearby Randleman.

Mauney and Proctor are ranked in the Top 5 in the world, and the past three World Champion Bulls – Code Blue, Bones and Chicken on a Chain – all reside in the Tar Heel State as well.

All three are owned by different contractors. Jimmy Walton and Rick Wagoner own Code Blue, who made his debut here in Winston-Salem last year, while Tom Teague owns Bones and Jeff Robinson owns Chicken.

Musical chairs: Three riders – Zach Brown, Beau Hill and Cody Ford – are competing this week with injury exemptions, while seven more riders – Dusty Ephrom, Billy Robinson, Ednei Caminhas, Reese Cates, Matt Werries, Pistol Robinson and Travis Sellers – are in Winston-Salem as alternates.

Speaking of injuries: The injury list doubled to eight riders this week. Ryan Dirteater (knee) Michael Manes, Mike White (appendix) and Guilherme Marchi (wrist) were on the list a week ago. Added to the list this week are Chris Shivers (soreness), Kody Lostroh (elbow), J.C. Navarro (shoulder) and Fabiano Vieira (ankle).

Shivers should be back next week in Oklahoma City. Marchi is expected to return in the next two weeks, while Lostroh is planning on taking two weeks off before returning for the Iron Cowboy Invitational. White said he’s planning to return to the BFTS in St. Louis.

There’s no word on when Navarro or Vieira will return, and Dirteater’s and Manes’ status remains unchanged from weeks past.

Time to ride this one out: Brown is using the last of his injury exemption this week in Winston-Salem, and essentially needs to ride all three bulls in order to avoid being cut. Hill needs to make up 230.25 points in the next two events, while Ford has three events to make up 460.75 points

Keep an eye on the money: With all the mounting injuries,  the alternate list becomes even more critical. Along with the seven previously mention alternates, the Top 10 is rounded out by Devon Mezei, Pete Farley and Jordan Hupp.

The alternate list is a combination of last year’s money and this year’s money earned at the Touring Pro Division through the second cut, when the list is reshuffled to reflect only this year’s money earned.

The bull business: The tiny Tar Heel, as Canter is called by Justin McKee, co-owns the bull Superfreak with Jerome Davis. Their bull will be out in Round 2 on Saturday night.

Revenge of bulls: There are three rematches in Round 1. Newcomer Stormy Wing rode Legacy last week in Tampa for 85.5 points, while Rocky McDonald rode Grease Gun in New York City for 84.75 points

The other matchup came three years ago in Charlotte when Jody Newberry bucked off Dippin’ Dots at a 2007 event.

Can you name them all: To this point in the 2010 season there have been 66 riders who have competed in at least one BFTS event. Of course, that is due partially to the first event being built around the Challenger Finals.

In all there have been 719 and 313 qualified rides for a cumulative riding average of 43.53 percent. There are 20 riders with at least 15 outs this season who are covering above average.

It’s all about winning: There have been six different winners – Marchi, Valdiron de Oliveira, Proctor, Mauney, Lostroh and Wiley Petersen – in six BFTS events this season. Mauney won here in Winston-Salem a year ago and Kasey Hayes won the event in 2008.

Big-time rides: There have been 11 rides scored 90 points or higher, but only Briscoe (2) and Proctor (2) have more than one, which leaves a collection of seven riders – Petersen, Ryan McConnel, Ned Cross, McKennon Wimberly, L.J. Jenkins, Lostroh and Mauney – with one each.

Hey there, rookie: Currently, Stormy Wing is the top contender for the 2010 Rookie of the Year.

Event Center: Follow all the action from Winston-Salem, N.C., by logging on to www.pbr.com and entering the “Event Center,” which is accessible from the tab located at the top of the main Web page. The Event Center provides live scoring, live blogging and event-related Podcasts and interviews.

— by Keith Ryan Cartwright