GLENDALE, Ariz. – 2017 World Champion Jess Lockwood joined two-time World Champion J.B. Mauney in the history books by winning the first two events of the 2019 Unleash The Beast.
Mauney was the last rider to win the opening two events of the premier series when he won the first event at Madison Square Garden in New York City and then the Worcester Classic in Worcester, Massachusetts, the following week in 2007.
Lockwood heads into the Ak-Chin Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires, Saturday night atop the world standings. He leads No. 2 Chase Outlaw by 1,092.5 points.
The 21-year-old takes on Blown Fuse (3-0, UTB) in Round 1 at Gila River Arena.
Fans can watch Round 1 on RidePass beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Here is a quick by the numbers comparison of the two riders’ streaks.
Age: Lockwood (21) / Mauney (20)
Season: Lockwood (3) / Mauney (2)
Consecutive Rides: Lockwood (8) / Mauney (8)
Average Ride Score: Lockwood (88.44) / Mauney (85.19)
90-point Rides: Lockwood (2) / Mauney (0)
Top Ride: Lockwood (91.75 points on Prayer Warrior) / Mauney (87.75 points on Sports Machine)
Lowest Ride: Lockwood (85 points on Dream Catcher) / Mauney (81.75 points on The Boogerman)
Round Wins: Lockwood (4) / Mauney (0)
World Ranking: Lockwood (1) / Mauney (1)
World Lead (Different Points Systems): Lockwood (+1,092.5) / Mauney (+277)
World Premier Series Points*: Lockwood (1,617.5) / Mauney (1,330)
*Projected as if Mauney’s 2007 start happened under current points system
Mauney’s consecutive ride streak ended at nine after he was bucked off by Werewolf Snuff in 7.1 seconds during Round 2 in Fresno, California.
The Mooresville, North Carolina, cowboy went on to finish 2007 third in the world standings. It was the first of four consecutive Top-3 finishes in the world standings for him. Mauney would finally win his first world title in 2013.
The PBR record for most consecutive rides on the premier series to begin a season is 13. Three-time World Champion Adriano Moraes began the 2001 campaign with 14 consecutive rides. He would go to win his second world title later that year.
There have been five streaks of 10 more rides to begin a season since 1998 – Moraes (13 in ‘01), Terry Don West (10 in ‘98 & 11 in ‘00), Mike Lee (10 in ’08) and Silvano Alves (11 in ’15).
Lockwood is not overthinking things when it comes to keeping his hot streak going.
“It is as simple as finishing and trying hard,” Lockwood said. “It has felt effortless to me. I haven’t had to strain. It was just all natural.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko