WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Carolina Cowboys made their hometown debut with a bang Friday evening, registering a commanding game win as the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series’ Cowboy Days got underway in Winston-Salem, North Carolina inside LJVM Coliseum.

Going head-to-head against the Missouri Thunder, the Cowboys won their fifth consecutive game, riding three of their five bulls to hand the Thunder a scoreless 261.5-0 defeat. Improving to 9-5 on the season, the Cowboys also rose to No. 2 in the current league standings.

Following Friday evening’s games, there is a new No. 1-ranked team in the PBR Team Series. The Arizona Ridge Riders defeated the Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, by one ride score, 258.25-169, and rose from No. 2 to No. 1 in the league rankings. Now 10-4 on the season, they overtook the Austin Gamblers, who backslid to No. 3.

The Gamblers’ fall down the standings came on the spurs of an 86.25-235.5 loss to the Kansas City Outlaws during the opening game of PBR Cowboy Days.

In a game headlined by the fifth 90-point ride in PBR Team Series history, the Oklahoma Freedom defeated the Nashville Stampede 261-0. The monstrous 90.25-point score was delivered by third-round draft pick Chase Outlaw as the team’s lead-off rider.

PBR Cowboy Days continues Saturday, September 10 at 6:45 p.m. ET. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the LJVM Coliseum Box Office or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.

The Carolina Cowboys will also hold a daily, free-to-attend, family-friendly fan festival at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, featuring racing activations, musical performances, cowboy church, local vendors and more. 

On Saturday, August 10, the festival will open at 2:00 p.m. The marquee programming will feature a classic car show as curated by American stock car racing personality and long-time Richard Childress Racing staffer Chocolate Myers, and the musical stylings of Elvie Shane.

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

Kansas City Outlaws: 235.5

Austin Gamblers: 86.25

As the PBR Team Series event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina got underway, the Kansas City Outlaws went an impressive 3-for-5, covering 60% of their bovine athlete opponents in their 235.5-86.25 upset victory against the then league No. 1 Austin Gamblers.

In the opening frame of the game, the Outlaws failed to make the 8, while the Gamblers’ Ezekiel Mitchell (Rockdale, Texas) was awarded a re-ride.

The Outlaws, however, began to build their momentum as the second got underway. Next up for the J.W. Hart-led outfit was Marcus Mast (Middlebury, Indiana) matched up with Night Train (Mike Miller Bucking Bulls). Matching the powerful bull jump-for-jump, Mast reached the requisite 8 for a crucial 83.25 points.

Hoping to be quick to answer, the Gamblers' Lucas Divino (Nova Crixas. Brazil) was bested in 4.72 seconds by Voodoo (Cowtown Rodeo).

Head Coach Michael Gaffney, however, elected to use his one challenge, sending the out into review. Despite a second look, the buckoff remained, and the Outlaws carried an 83.25-point lead into the third frame.

With neither team converting in the third, Mitchell was next out, drawing Sugar Boom Boom (Cornwell Bucking Bulls/Circle G) for his re-ride.

Mitchell’s re-ride attempt was unsuccessful, bucked off in 3.63 seconds.

Regaining their winning form from the opening of the game, the Outlaws added to their total in the top of the fourth, as reigning PBR Rookie of the Year Bob Mitchell (Steelville, Missouri) clung to the side of High Tide Blues (Blake Sharp/Michael Floyd) until the clock reached 8, earning 78.75 points.

The Outlaws pulled ahead by 162 points, putting the Gamblers in a must-ride position in the bottom of the fourth to keep their hopes of victory alive.

In the pressure position, surging Canadian Blake Smith (Abbey, Saskatchewan, Canada) was unable to rise to the occasion for the Gamblers, bested in 4.85 seconds by Rocky Malcoma (Mike Miller Bucking Bulls).

With the win in hand, the Outlaws added to their lead in the top of the fifth, as first-round draft pick Dalton Kasel put the cherry on the sundae as he rode Black Bart (Cowtown Rodeo) for 73.5 points.

In the final out of the game, the Gamblers skirted a scoreless defeat as the team’s newest member Ramon de Lima (Rio Branco, Brazil) converted atop Patches (Sho-Me Rodeo) for a game-high 86.25 points.

When the dust settled, the Outlaws defeated the Gamblers 235.5-86.25. Compliments of the win, the Outlaws improved to 6-8, while the Gamblers fell to 9-5.

When PBR Cowboy Days continue Saturday, September 10, the Outlaws will look to remain perfect when they play the Texas Rattlers, while the Gamblers will look to rebound in their contest with the Oklahoma Freedom as they look to reclaim the No. 1 rank in the league standings.

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media