WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Arizona technical coach Paulo Crimber stood outside a boisterous Ridge Riders’ locker room where inside the team was celebrating a 258.25-169 victory over the Texas Rattlers (4-10, Cowboy Days 0-1) on Friday night at Cowboys Days.

Arizona (10-4, Cowboy Days 1-0) became the first team in league history to reach double-digit wins, and the squad is now in sole possession of first place in the PBR Team Series standings.

“It is amazing to start the weekend in first place, it’s always what we want,” Crimber said.

However, there is a bigger plan in the making for Arizona.

The top two teams at the conclusion of the regular season, which fittingly comes following the Ridge Riders’ homestand on Oct. 14-16, will receive a first-round bye for the first night of the PBR Team Series Championship. Those two teams automatically advance to the second round, which is on Nov. 5 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

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Crimber believes the two teams who earn the first-round byes could have a significant advantage in the postseason.

One extra night of rest will go a long way for the teams, says Crimber.

“Whoever gets the bye, if we get a bye, it’s going to be a huge bank on the health of the guys to be saving one day and be preparing for Sunday’s (possible) showdown where you will have to play two games. You can see this on these three-day events, like here, that’s going to be a big push on those riders.”

Crimber said there is also a mental advantage to knowing your team has been one of the best throughout the regular season.

“That is going to mean a lot, to get a bye in Vegas,” Crimber added. “The confidence to get in with the No. 1 or 2 spot, it’s going to lead the team into a positive energy and mindset, it’s going to mean a lot.”

The Ridge Riders were methodical Friday night at LJVM Coliseum and got off to fast start against Texas, riding three of its first four bulls.

Alisson de Souza began the game with 85.25 points on Oreo before Eduardo Aparecido increased the lead to 177-0 with his 85.75-point effort on Sundance.

Braidy Randolph answered for Texas with 84.25 points on Tator before Keyshawn Whitehorse pushed Arizona back up by two rides with 87.25 points on The Sauce Too.

Texas’ Cody Jesus would ride War Child for 84.75 points to give Texas a chance at the come-from-behind victory, but Brady Fielder was unable to ride Buffalo Heifer (1.52 seconds) at the end of the game, cementing Arizona the win and first place overall in the season standings.

“First place sounds like a place for me and my team,” Whitehorse said with a grin following the victory.

Whitehorse agreed with his coach about the importance of Arizona notching a first-round bye come Vegas.

“It’s very important,” Whitehorse said. “We’ve been riding all year long, the more we can save our bodies, the better, if anything.”

The Ridge Riders not only have the best record in the league, but the veteran squad leads the PBR Team Series with 32 qualified rides through 14 games and five Bonus Rounds.

The race is far from over with No. 2 Carolina (9-5, 38 Bonus Points) and No. 3 Austin (9-5, 32.5 Bonus Points) only one game behind Arizona in the standings.

Arizona and Carolina are set to clash Saturday night in the marquee game of the night (6:45 p.m. ET RidePass on Pluto TV).

“We’re all riding good,” Whitehorse concluded. “Most of us, we know how to take care of ourselves and we don’t always have to get on a bunch of practice (bulls) to keep us riding good, so that helps us in the long haul. Our team has good chemistry going on. We mesh very well. I’ve been with a locker room full of Brazilians. I’m okay with that, I grew up around (Robson) Palermo and all of those guys, so I’m kind of used to it.

“Those guys trust me, and I respect that out of them, and I trust them as well.”

SATURDAY GAME SCHEDULE (6:45 p.m. ET RidePass on Pluto TV)

Austin Gamblers (9-5, Cowboy Days 0-1) @ Oklahoma Freedom (6-8, Cowboy Days 1-0)
Missouri Thunder (7-7, Cowboy Days 0-1) @ Nashville Stampede (3-11, Cowboy Days 0-1)
Texas Rattlers (4-10, Cowboy Days 0-1) @ Kansas City Outlaws (6-8, Cowboy Days 1-0)
Arizona Ridge Riders (10-4, Cowboy Days 1-0) @ Carolina Cowboys (9-5, Cowboy Days 1-0)

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media