NASHVILLE –  When the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Stampede Days kicked off Friday night inside Bridgestone Arena, the race to be crowned the inaugural PBR Team Series Champions intensified as the league’s top team was upset, a rising contingent won their fourth straight game and a streaky team of top talents recorded a string of qualified rides putting the entire league on notice.

In the opening game in Music City, the Ariat Texas Rattlers earned a crucial victory, upsetting the No. 1 Missouri Thunder 174.25-0.

Backed by a strong start to the game, logging back-to-back qualified rides, the Kansas City Outlaws won the second game of PBR Stampede Days, beating the Oklahoma Freedom 174.75-87.25.

In a clutch fifth-frame ride, Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil) propelled the Austin Gamblers to the team’s fourth-consecutive victory, defeating the Arizona Ridge Riders 175.25-85.25.

The final game of the evening featured the hometown debut of the Nashville Stampede, the city’s newest professional sports team. Despite a quick start to the game, as both Kaique Pacheco and Thiago Salgado converted in the contingent’s opening two outs, the Stampede inevitably fell to the Carolina Cowboys 324-176.25.

In the game, the Cowboys went a near perfect 4-for-5, covering 80% of their bulls.

PBR Stampede Days continues Saturday, August 20 at 6:45 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.

Prior to Saturday’s event, Stampede Days will host free-to-attend, family-friendly programming at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza starting at 11:00 a.m. CT. The musical performers include: John Haywood (11: 00 a.m.), Carson Beyer (12:00 p.m.), Kimberly Kelly (1:00 p.m.), Will Jones (2:30 p.m.), Mae Estes (3:30 p.m.) and Chancie Neal (4:15 p.m.).

In addition to musical acts on Aug. 20, fan fest patrons will be able to take part in three line-dancing lessons (2:00 p.m., 3:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.) under the instruction of Darcy Leasure, a featured professional from the Wildhorse Saloon.

PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Nashville, Tennessee. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.

Ariat Texas Rattlers: 174.25

Missouri Thunder: 0.00

Backed by two strong scores from Cody Jesus (Window Rock, Arizona) and Braidy Randolph (Jonestown, Pennsylvania), the Ariat Texas Rattlers upset the No. 1 Missouri Thunder 174.25 – 0 Friday evening in the first game of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series event in Nashville, Tennessee.

After a scoreless opening frame, Jesse Petri (Dublin, Texas) took to the chutes for the Thunder and Jesus was ready to ride for the Rattlers.

After Petri was bucked off by Budakon (Hale Cattle Co.) in 5.05 seconds, Jesus reached the requisite 8 on Step That Step (Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls) for 87.25 points.

Andrew Alvidrez (Seminole, Texas) then hoped to be the game-changer for the Thunder. After a difficult time in the chutes with Hawkeye (Jane Clark/Gene Owen), Alvidrez was disqualified as he apparently failed to nod his head before the chute clock hit 0.

The call entered review, and the game continued on, with the third frame ending in a Rattlers buckoff for Rafael Jose de Brito (Potirendaba, Brazil).

As the crucial fourth rotation of riders got underway, the Thunder’s Adriano Salgado (Batatais, Brazil) failed to reach the 8 aboard ZZ Top (Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls), giving the Rattlers the chance to clinch the game win during young gun Randolph’s out with Uncle Gangster (Pick-it Hammers). Rising to the occasion, Randolph clinched the upset victory for the Cody Lambert-coached contingent as he delivered a qualified ride for 87 points.

During the fifth frame, the verdict from Alvidrez’s challenged disqualification was determined and his team was awarded a re-ride.

After the Thunder’s apparent final rider Colten Fritzlan (Rifle, Colorado) bucked off, the Missouri outfit’s re-ride was delegated to Australian sensation Callum Miller (Warwick, Queensland, Australia).

Despite the call, however, the scoreboard remained unchanged, as Miller and Rattlers’ Brady Fielder (Clermont, Queensland, Australia) failed to convert.

The Ariat Texas Rattlers earned their third team win, 174.25-0, over the Thunder. As PBR Stampede Days continue Saturday evening, the Ariat Texas Rattlers (3-5) will look to continue their momentum when they play the host Nashville Stampede (2-6), while the Missouri Thunder (6-2) will attempt to rebound against the Oklahoma Freedom (3-5).

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media