PUEBLO, Colo. — The 2024 edition of the PBR Camping World Team Series didn’t waste any time providing some drama.
From the return of rank rides and the debut of two expansion squads to the first look at a relocated Florida Freedom organization and seeing J.B. Mauney enjoy some smiles from the atop the chutes during his first weekend as a coach …
… is time for Week 2 yet?!
RELATED: #InCaseYouMissedIt: 2024 PBR Teams season kicks off with huge debut for hometown Wildcatters
While we will typically reserve the midweek slate for weekly PBR Teams power rankings, we’re taking some time to break down some of the biggest takeaways from the 2024 season-opener in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as the tour currently endures an early-season bye week before hitting the road for the next three months straight.
Not to worry, however, as the Week 2 PBR Teams power rankings will be live next week!
Read on for some of the spiciest observations from last weekend’s first of 10 homestand events and you’ll quickly realize why you need to tune into Merit+ and Merit Street Media next weekend.
But if there’s one main takeaway, it’s that PBR Teams Wildcatter Days did NOT disappoint!
0 to 178.25, Real Quick: Speaking of wasting little time, the Kansas City Outlaws didn’t need an invitation to get their season started, as Koltin Hevalow converted during the very first out of the 2024 PBR Teams season. Throwing down a nasty 88.5-point effort to get his orange and black unit on the board, the young American cowboy could very much be a big reason the Outlaws enjoy some success in year three if he can keep producing. Finishing the 2023 regular season ranked No. 2 overall en route to earning their first-ever bye week, the Outlaws are speeding right back to the fast lane.
He's BAAACCCCKKK: Eventually seeing 2024 PBR World Champion turned Outlaws teammate Cassio Dias complement Hevalow’s opening-frame score with a game-high 89.75-point go aboard Let’s Roll, fans were reminded just how potent J.W. Hart’s squad can be. But it was the back-to-back, ever-exciting conversions between Dias and two-time PBR Teams MVP Jose Vitor Leme which ultimately stole the Game 1 show. Seeing Dias do his job, Leme knew he only had one choice: Make the 8!
Able to match his bovine opponent’s every move, the two-time World Champion returned to the 5-on-5 circuit the only way he knows how: With a qualified ride. His dance atop Crazy Times may have come in at just 86.75 points, but a 1-for-1, healthy start for “Champ” himself is exactly what Michael Gaffney and company want to see from their ace. Even if they did end up dropping the contest 178.25-174.
RELATED: Dias and Leme trade blows, renew MVP rivalry as 2024 PBR Teams season begins
Shoot(out) For the Stars: Speaking of successful openers, the league’s first-ever Shootout Round (which invites each of the day’s four winning teams to choose one cowboy to compete in an event-ending, one-go round) seemed to be quite the hit off the bat. It’s just a fun format and a bit quicker than the tour’s former tie-breaking, event-winning decider, Extra Outs. Plain and simple: Ride and you win your team some additional cash prizes. And for guys like Dias, who managed to convert during his first appearance in the Shootout Round Friday night, an opportunity to add a few extra points to their season-long aggregate score, thus improving his respective spot within the 2024 PBR Teams MVP race. While we’ll likely see teams continue to spread that extra workload opportunity out as the season rages on, we’ve already seen squads dispatch guys from all over their rosters. From aces in Dias to roster regular hopefuls in Briggs Madsen and beyond, the Shoutout Round welcomed a wide range of cowboys in Week 1. Including the Arizona Ridge Riders’ Eli Vastbinder, who captured the first-ever Shootout Round honors courtesy of a rather rank 91.75-point journey aboard Ricky Vaughn (which now ranks as the veteran’s second-highest score ever.)
Time Off = Rides Up: It’s not rocket science that the boys came out hot in Week 1 after spending parts of the last two months getting their health in better spots by any means. But it sure was fun to see a reloaded and well-rested pack of cowboys hit the dirt inside Paycom Center. Seeing cowboys convert left and right throughout the weekend, you could tell the boys were both healthy and excited to get back at it. Throw in some in-season bye games, with just eight of 10 teams riding on any given night, and it’s clear year three could have some big (and healthy) things in store. With each of the Carolina Cowboys, Florida Freedom, Kansas City Outlaws, Austin Gamblers, Texas Rattlers and Arizona Ridge Riders enjoying one night off at Wildcatter Days, fans should be sure to keep an eye on the overall PBR Teams schedule page and stay tuned to starting lineup articles and beyond to keep up with their respective favorite squads!
Practice Makes Perfect: Knowing 2016 World Champion Cooper Davis was well-rested and ready to ride after sitting out the 2024 UTB season doesn’t mean his bulls were going to give him a break, by any means. But after seeing the All-World talent return to the chutes en route to going 2-for-2 and helping his team to a perfect 2-0 start … he sure made it look easy! And while Davis, in general, was one of the biggest highlights for Carolina in Week 1, it’s the team’s first-ever perfect game from Saturday night that takes the cake!
Of course, you can’t produce a perfect game without a hot start, and that’s exactly what Davis provided both Saturday and Sunday nights via his opening-frame conversions. Logging a sound 87.25 points aboard Mikey’s Surprise Saturday, the Cowboys were feeling it early. Add in a quality 88.5-point strike from Derek Kolbaba, who was making his return to the chutes for the first time since breaking his neck the summer prior, and it was quickly turning into a party for Carolina. But that wasn’t the biggest outlier. That came in the form of Adriano Salgado throwing down a nasty 93-point dance as he and Flyin Wired teamed up for greatness. Seeing a pair of next-level athletes in Daylon Swearingen and Sage Steele Kimzey close the game out with scores of their own, Carolina completed the third-ever perfect game in PBR Teams history. Salgado’s 93-point journey also qualified as the third-highest score in the 5-on-5 format.
RELATED: Carolina and Florida proud of their respective parts in PBR Teams history
Close, But No Cigar: Generally speaking, riding four of five bulls in any given game is typically going to be good enough for that team to get a win. Just ask the Arizona Ridge Riders, who turned in a convincing 340.5-255 win over the Nashville Stampede on night one by besting four bulls. Unfortunately for the Florida Freedom, who combined for a stellar 343.75 points during Saturday night’s opening showdown against the Cowboys, four rides wasn’t enough, as they watched on as Kimzey sealed the deal to complete Carolina’s 5-for-5 effort. Coming damn close to their first-ever win after sitting out Friday night’s slate (embracing a bye game), Paulo Crimber knew his son John Crimber would deliver in the final out of the night, which he did. But with Casey Roberts bucking off just before the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 PBR Teams New Rider Draft got his shot to close a perfect game of his own, the Freedom will have to settle with a perfect 2-for-2 start for their star. Yet, it’s a different member of the Florida-based contingent which sits atop the PBR Teams MVP race heading into Week 2.
RELATED: No. 1 draft pick John Crimber 2-for-2 in Teams debut for Florida Freedom
Individuals Make Teams: That man is none other than Elizmar Jeremias, who joined Cort McFadden of the Oklahoma Wildcatters as the only cowboys to exit Paycom Center with perfect 3-for-3 records. With McFadden’s third score coming in, and eventually accepted, at just 66.5 points, it’s Jeremias who has his name atop the PBR Teams MVP race, courtesy of his 259-point aggregate score. Besting each of his opening weekend athletes (85, 85.75, 88.25 points), it was his Shootout Round showcase atop Mike’s Motive that shined brightest (and also secured his team some additional cash on Sunday!)
While only two riders were able to make the whistle three times, there were a combined 14 riders who managed to double down in Week 1, which is a good sign for teams and the league in general. Several individuals ensure their coaches that they were giving their all, including Briggs Madsen, Cooper Davis, Keyshawn Whitehorse, Nick Tetz and beyond, each of whom find themselves ranked within the Top 6 of the MVP race as things sit currently.
RELATED: Six standouts from PBR Teams Week 1
Wildcatters = 4 Real: For hometown fans watching on as Eduardo Matos went the distance for an epic 89.25 points during the very first out of Oklahoma’s homestand opener … What better way could you have asked for in seeing the new kids on the block get their first-ever game started?! Selected No. 2 overall during the 2024 PBR Teams New Rider Draft, Clay Guiton looked good later in the game, getting a QR during his first out as well, albeit scored just 71 points. The real treat for the weekend, outside seeing the squad start 2-1 overall, was the further emergence of Cort McFadden, who converted as well, thus sending the home team to the win column.
While Mauney and friends went on to drop a close contest to Arizona on Saturday, suffering just a 1.25-point deficit, it was good to see Kyler Oliver team up with McFadden in finding the whistle. But fans and riders alike much preferred the way Sunday’s finale played out, as McFadden completed the opening weekend with a perfect 3-for-3 slate while seeing Guiton step up in the closer role via his 89.25-point dance atop Boujee Boy. The Wildcatters aren’t perfect, but they are very potent and could 100% make a run in 2024!
RELATED: Wildcatters living up to Mauney’s predictions with strong opening weekend at home
Look Good, Ride Good: Western wear, and the lifestyle in general, continues to trend up these days as America continues to embrace the cowboy look. But when we say the 5-on-5 boys were looking good this weekend, we mean the color-forward, newly-designed looks that each of the league’s 10 squads debuted Friday night and continued to rock throughout the weekend. The biggest noticeable difference in year three revolves around the helmets, as teams seemed to be wearing some new and improved buckets. And whoever designed them needs a raise because they looked badass throughout the weekend’s Merit+ broadcasts. Several teams also seemed to be showing off some new uniforms, and even auxiliary color schemes, with the Arizona Ridge Riders leaning into a bit of gold to accent their typical black and white look. Hell, in year one, most teams rocked the same jersey year-round. But with teams continuing to expand marketing efforts and playing into the home vs. away themes and beyond, the creativity is showing. And we’re here for it. In a day where PBR continues to grow the footprint and overall following of the camaraderie-driven approach, giving fans cities, colors and cowboys to root for certainly isn’t hurting anything. 10/10 for the new uniform and helmet combinations.
Amped & Excited: In a month or two, sideline chats between Kate Harrison and Matt West might not be as long or spirited as they were during Week 1’s season-opener … Which makes these early-season chats (which featured several jokes, smiles and tons of insight and quality feedback) even cooler! Anytime J.W. Hart is smiling and enjoying himself on camera means a few things: His team recently won or it’s the beginning of the season. Luckily for the Outlaws, both were the case Friday night, as the “Iron Man” wasn’t holding back the fun on night one. Seeing and hearing former Oklahoma Freedom Head Coach Cord McCoy seem comfortable while doing a very good job peeling back the layers for the audience was awesome, as McCoy regularly broke down some of the next-level details that go into this whole thing. From training camp to choosing lineups to postgame celebrations and beyond, you could tell the talent was very much in the fold for years one and two and he was a treat to have providing color on the Merit Street broadcast. And to finish it all off, the riders themselves seemed amped to be back. And they did NOT hold back on the celebrations! From dirt-storming celebrations to high-fives, hat-throwing and the whole nine yards, it was a great reminder of just how special PBR Teams truly is.
Photo courtesy of Todd Brewer/Bull Stock Media
