LAS VEGAS – Nashville Stampede coach Justin McBride had just gotten done congratulating his team on its first-round victory over the No. 3 Oklahoma Freedom at the 2022 PBR Team Series Championship when 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco raised his voice.

The fire that was in Pacheco’s eyes when he rode Born to Sin for 88 points to help No. 8 Nashville defeat Oklahoma 264.75-176 earlier had returned.

“This place is different,” a passionate Pacheco said while looking into his teammates’ eyes. “Vegas is Vegas. We remember all the World Finals that were here. The energy is different. This stadium. This crowd. All the fans. That gives us our energy. This is an important place for every rider and his career who has rode here at some events.”

Three-time World Champion Silvano Alves, who won all three of his gold buckles in Las Vegas, then erupted into a big roar, encouraging the raucous Stampede locker room in support of Pacheco, their captain.

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Nashville’s veteran experience was on full display Friday night at T-Mobile Arena.

Ryan Dirteater, who won the first World Finals ever held at T-Mobile six years ago, started Nashville off with 88.5 points on Bubba G for the early lead. Dirteater had also given each of his teammates a Native American feather for their cowboy hats prior to the 2022 PBR Team Series Championship.

Chase Outlaw (88.5 points on Bobkat) would tie the game briefly before Cladson Rodolfo (88.25 points on Smooth Over It) put the Stampede back in front 176.75-176.

“I told Silvano I feel something special in Las Vegas, and this was really important for me to help my team and give my best to them,” Pacheco said. “I know Ryan feels the same thing. He has had great moments here too.”

10 minutes earlier on the dirt, Pacheco had pumped his chest and glared at his teammates on the back of the bucking chutes in pure confidence. It was quite possibly the most fire Pacheco has shown all season long.

That confidence and leadership mentality could also go a long way on Saturday night as Pacheco and company hope to upset No. 1 seed Austin during Round 2 of the 2022 PBR Team Series Championship (11 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network).

It was one reason why McBride switched Pacheco to the closer role this weekend. Pacheco had been thriving for the last 15 games as the team’s leadoff rider, but McBride wanted a lethal finisher at the end of his lineup, and he knew Pacheco had it in him.

McBride was also proud to see Pacheco address the team. 

Moments like that have been hard for Pacheco at times to feel natural, but his speech on Friday was genuine. It was no fake, rah-rah rally cry. It was Pacheco speaking from his heart.

“We have talked about it a lot,” McBride said. “Because that is not him. Cladson and these guys are going to his house every day and riding the barrel with him. That is not his deal. It is not that he is a bad guy, but it is just not what he does. Talking to him and getting to know him better, he would tell me he doesn’t feel confident that he should be helping them. So that is part of my job. To build him up to know he is that guy, and to support him and know when to step back and let him talk.”

The Stampede now have to refocus for its next juggernaut opponent in Austin.

The journey to Championship Sunday is far from over, but the Friday night victory over Oklahoma very well could be a turning point in not only Pacheco’s season, but the entire team’s.

A win over Austin on Saturday night could put further gasoline on this suddenly fiery Nashville team.

“I was really proud of the whole team, and my hat is off to Oklahoma, they have some damn good bull riders,” McBride said. “Now the task is staying level and keeping it going.”

Pacheco added, “Getting to Sunday is very important for us. We are working hard for that. We are getting better. We know we need to do our best to get that title.”

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko

Photo courtesy of Todd Brewer/Bull Stock Media