PUEBLO, Colo. – For as much of a star as the first-year talent has already proven to be, it’s been a bit of a hot and cold, up and down season for rookie John Crimber.

But when you consider he’s ranked No. 2 in the world, it’s been easy to focus on the productive performances which have earned him the elite status so early in his career.

Of the 16 premier series events in which he’s participated in, he’s managed to ride at least one bull in 11 of the showcases. And if you throw in the funky Bonus Round from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, last month, where he posted an 86.75-point dance aboard Bouchon, he’s technically done his job in 12 of 17 instances.

Not easy for any rider to do, let alone an 18-year-old.

RELATED: Florida Freedom earn No. 1 pick in 2024 PBR Teams New Rider Draft to be held May 29 in Nashville

After watching on as his father, Paulo Crimber, and his Florida Freedom squad (of the PBR Camping World Team Series) were awarded the No. 1 overall selection in next month’s 2024 New Rider Draft (selected by chance via corresponding lottery balls and in conjunction with the PBR Teams Expansion Draft) Wednesday night, he knows he will soon enough be rocking red, white and blue this summer during the thrilling 5-on-5 series.

But in the meantime, he’s got a world title to win.

And if he plans to eliminate the 580.5-point gap between himself and No. 1 Cassio Dias, who isn’t slowing down for Crimber and company by any means after capturing his tour-leading sixth win of the season last weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Crimber needs to secure what would be his fifth podium finish on the year this weekend in Billings, Montana.

But if we’re being honest, Crimber could really use a win this weekend, especially with No. 3 Dalton Kasel set to miss this weekend’s showdown, who’s just 8.83 UTB points behind the Decatur, Texas, native.

Crimber has had several of close calls this season, including a tour-high three runner-up efforts (finishing second in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sacramento, California, and Los Angeles, California) as he continues to not only navigate his way through the top tour in the world, but racking up the 90s and rank rides in the process!

Bringing eight Top 10 finishes (first, second, second, second, fifth, fifth, sixth, 10th) into First Interstate Arena at MetraPark (which includes a pair of fifth-place efforts sandwiched between rideless weekends in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Little Rock, Arkansas, throughout his last four appearances), he’s technically still nursing a five-out buckoff streak.

A brief stint he’ll look to break out of Friday night during his head-to-head showdown against Cracker Jack as he chases down his second win of 2024.

His first, and only, premier series win of his career came earlier this season in Jacksonville, Florida, where he turned in his first flawless, 3-for-3 performance of the year.

And while one win may seem like a bit of an underachievement for the rookie phenom, we’ll remind you that 1. These are the best bull riders in the world and 2. Only 11 others have found themselves in the winner’s circle this season, which technically puts him in rare company when you consider the 60-some riders who have competed on UTB so far this season.

Furthermore, only three riders have been able to double down this time around, with Dias joining No. 7 Austin Richardson and No. 9 Caden Bunch in the two-timer’s club. And with the latter two of the trio set to miss this weekend’s contest in Billings, it’s quite literally Crimber vs. Dias (vs. the world!)

Now 21-for-47 (44.68%) on the season, he’s been in the leading role of his own story, but with the ever-dominant Dias continuing to lurk atop the Unleash The Beast World Championship standings, Crimber will need to kick things up a notch here through the final four regular season events if he wants to win it all.

RELATED: By the Numbers: Top-ranked Cassio Dias dazzles once again with win No. 6

Beginning Friday night, as the pack resumes its hunt for the postseason with the final three-day, four-round trip of the year!

"These three-day weekends have been kind of rough on us, but I like getting on bulls," Crimber shared with Kate Harrison on last weekend's CBS Sports Network broadcast.

"I read a quote the other day that said 'What defines us is how well we rise after failing.' So I'm going to take this week, prepare myself a little bit more and go out there in Billings and give it my best."

And that's all we can ask of the youngster!

With Unleash The Beast preparing to bring the best bull riders in the world to First Interstate Arena at MetraPark Friday night during the 20th event of the 2024 premier series campaign April 12-14, let’s take a look at who’s drawing into the lineup during the Wrangler PBR Billings, presented by Cooper Tires:

ROUND 1 MATCHUPS Jake Morinec vs. Mike’s Magic Conner Halverson vs. Wild Fire Paulo Eduardo Rossetto vs. Let’s Roll Ednelio Almeida vs. Down Payment Luciano De Castro vs. Peterbilt Jose de Castro vs. The Judge Andrew Alvidrez vs. Mr. Nasty Cort McFadden vs. Big Cannon Dawson Branton vs. Centerfold Boudreaux Campbell vs. Army Slasher Eli Vastbinder vs. Younts Brody’s Pet Sage Steele Kimzey vs. DirtyBru Bob Mitchell vs. Shivers Daylon Swearingen vs. Flint Stone Marco Rizzo vs. Bo Man Vitor Losnake vs. Flapjack Mauricio Gulla Moreira vs. Manaba Kaiden Loud vs. Sweet Train Felipe Furlan vs. Jersey Mike Alvaro Ariel vs. Renegade Alex Cerqueira vs. Border Crisis Daniel Keeping vs. Chateau Montelena’s Montana Jacket Ezekiel Mitchell vs. Burning Man Wyatt Rogers vs. Shake n Bake Ben Bode vs. Highwire Silvano Alves vs. Hundred Bad Days Keyshawn Whitehorse vs. Velvet Revolver Leonardo Castro vs. Dream Walkin Thiago Salgado vs. Tchoupitoulas Julio Cesar Marques vs. Flyin Wired Kaique Pacheco vs. Cy Young Koltin Hevalow vs. Bud Man Brady Fielder vs. Jersey Tuff Callum Miller vs. Miller Time Alan de Souza vs. Big Worm Eduardo Aparecido vs. Wild Card John Crimber vs. Cracker Jack Cassio Dias vs. Gucci

* denotes a rematch OUT BECAUSE OF INJURY/OTHER Austin Richardson (Injury) Dalton Kasel (Injury) Joao Ricardo Vieira (Injury) Caden Bunch (Injury) Cody Jesus (Injury) Wingson Henrique da Silva (Injury) Clay Guiton (Injury) Jose Vitor Leme (Injury) Ederson Santos (Injury) Jesse Petri (Injury) ROUND 1 REMATCHES Alex Cerqueira vs. Border Crisis (4.04 seconds in Little Rock, Arkansas) Andrew Alvidrez vs. Mr. Nasty (88.25 points in Greensboro, North Carolina; 1.57 seconds in Albuquerque, New Mexico) Eduardo Aparecido vs. Wild Card (87.75 points in Albuquerque, New Mexico) Felipe Furlan vs. Jersey Mike (3.09 seconds in Salt Lake City, Utah) Mauricio Gulla Moreira vs. Manaba (5.03 seconds in Fort Worth, Texas) Paulo Eduardo Rossetto vs. Let’s Roll (4.04 seconds in Sioux Falls, South Dakota) Vitor Losnake vs. Flapjack (3.50 seconds in Belton, Texas) NO. 1 CASSIO DIAS LOOKS TO CONTINUE FIERY CAMPAIGN, EXTEND 580.5-POINT LEAD In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s kind of an all-world talent taking over Unleash The Beast in 2024. And as he continues to re-write the record books with his event win totals, short round conversion figures, round victories, etc. etc. etc. he CONTINUES to be a “Must-Watch” star in this industry. Most recently teaming up with the ever-rank Ricky Vaughn last weekend to secure yet another championship round win, he isn’t just making the Kansas City Outlaws seem like they’re the lucky ones. For all of us that get to witness his historic rookie season should feel blessed we’re watching on with our own two eyes!

Now a whopping 33-for-58 (56.9%) on the season, Dias may lead No. 5 Alan de Souza in that category by seven (26, the second-most on tour), but it’s his 580.5-point lead atop the Unleash The Beast World Championship standings that may be the most impressive feat of his record-breaking campaign. After going 3-for-4 once again last weekend, collecting win No. 6, he’s now just two event titles away from tying a pair of legends in Jose Vitor Leme and Justin McBride (who each won eight events in their respective, dominant seasons) for the all-time honors.

Dancing with Gucci during the final out Friday night, you WILL want to tune in, and it’s very likely he WILL ride his bull (matchup details aside, that’s just what he does!). So, be sure to turn on RidePass on Pluto TV Friday night, secure your tickets to next month’s season-culminating showdown and prepare to sit back and enjoy the fireworks!

RELATED: Cassio Dias is having the best rookie season of all time

UPS AND DOWNS HEADING INTO BILLINGS With just four regular season events remaining in the 2024 season, the best bull riders in the world have competed 19 times as the pack continues to chase down No. 1 Cassio Dias and the prized 2024 World Champion honors, set to be awarded next month at the 2024 PBR World Finals. Riding anywhere from two to four bulls on any given weekend, with a majority of regular riders approaching the 40+ attempt mark as the roller coaster continues, health and availability continue to be the biggest keys in the late-season push.

While No. 13 Cody Jesus has dealt with some nagging hip and groin agitation throughout the season, he managed to give it a go last weekend inside Denny Sanford Premier Center, albeit going 0-for-3 overall. In and out more than any rider this season, though still able to produce for the most part when is around, Jesus has only participated in three events dating back to Feb. 23, where he secured a ninth-place finish in Jacksonville, Florida. Unfortunately for the ailing cowboy, his 87-point strike atop Calhoun Oil represents his only qualified ride throughout his last 14 outs.

No. 32 Jesse Petri has been all-too-often associated with the injury bug these past few seasons. But able to stay around and within the top tour for the majority of the season, he finds himself sitting out of the Wrangler PBR Billings, presented by Cooper Tires, after suffering a nasty wreck last weekend. Which, as the man representing the bubble itself at the 32 spot, he will hope to rest up and return with a vengeance, given the likelihood he is passed in the standings this weekend, and thus may be faced to ride his way back into a World Finals berth.

RELATED: 2024 Unleash The Beast Game Notes: Billings

With several new additions to the “bumps and bruises” list, including the likes of No. 3 Dalton Kasel (who opted out of last weekend’s Championship Sunday action after getting roughed up earlier in the event), No. 8 Joao Ricardo Vieira (who shared that his arm was in a better spot, but is taking another week recovering, looking to come back at as close to 100% as possible as the veteran attempts to capture what would be his first world title) and even No. 9 Caden Bunch (ruled out late Thursday, as he recovers from an injury sustained in Sioux Falls, South Dakota), the latest rider to doctor out ahead of Billings …

… Several guys are going to get another chance inside First Interstate Arena at MetraPark. And being they are getting their respective shots via the Qualifier List; they’d be wise to take advantage of the opportunity.

We’re talking about guys like No. 33 Marco Rizzo (who just tied for his first round win en route to securing a career-best fourth place finish last weekend), No. 35 Luciano de Castro, No. 36 Ezekiel Mitchell, No. 37 Wyatt Rogers (who also secured the first round win of his career in Sioux Falls while earning a UTB-best fifth-place result) and company, who desperately need to convert if they hope qualify for the season-ending showdown.

Another rookie looking to make some late-season waves: Enter Ben Bode, currently ranked No. 3 in PBR Australia. While he was technically allowed to compete in last weekend’s showdown in Sioux Falls, he had to get some his visa affairs in order and will now make his Unleash The Beast debut Friday night inside First Interstate Arena at MetraPark during a showdown with Highwire. The international talent will be joined by a pair of his countrymen in No. 10 Brady Fielder and No. 38 Callum Miller, thus marking the first time three Australian riders have competed on UTB since the tour invaded Los Angeles, California, in 2020. So, if there’s ever been a night to come out and put on a show, it might as well be Friday!

FOLLOW ALONG Representing the 20th event of the 2024 Unleash The Beast season, the three-day, four-round showcase in Billings, Montana, is set to begin Friday, April 12 at 7:45 p.m. MT, with Round 1 airing live via RidePass on Pluto TV. Round 2’s action will begin Saturday, April 13 at 6:45 p.m. MT and will also air live via RidePass on Pluto TV.

The best bull riders in the world will then return for night three, with action set to conclude on Sunday, April 14 at 1:45 p.m. MT.

RELATED: Where to Watch: Billings

All of championship Sunday’s action, which includes the third long round, followed by the short go, is slated to air live on CBS Sports Network on Sunday, April 14 starting at 2 p.m. MT.

Fans can also catch all three rounds of action on the TUDN Spanish broadcast, with Round 1 set to air on Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m. MT, Round 2 primed to air on Sunday, April 14 at 1 p.m. MT and all of championship Sunday’s outs airing on Monday, April 15 at 6 p.m. MT.

Fans can stay tuned to PBR.com and PBR social media channels throughout the weekend for the latest scores, wrecks, injury updates and beyond as Unleash The Beast prepares to invade First Interstate Arena at MetraPark April 12-14!

Photo courtesy of Josh Homer/Bull Stock Media