INDIANAPLOIS, Ind. – Home to one of the sporting world’s most celebrated and historic events in the Indianapolis 500, the state’s capital and most populated city has become known to be a bit of a racing town. 

Surely, a majority of the Midwest has leaned into some sector of the automotive industry at this point in history. However, residents of the greater Indianapolis area have a bit more adoration for the competitive aspect of the four-wheeled avenue. 

And while the winner of the racing world’s “end all, be all” traditionally drinks milk after their victory lap, an ode to the region’s ever-established dairy farming ventures, fans inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse were treated to a beefier bovine Friday night.

The rankest animal athletes on planet earth! 

Home to Caitlyn Clark and the Indiana Fever, who’s swept the sporting world with her own historic accomplishments within the Hoosier State, there was an electricity in the air early in the evening. 

A sense of prolonged promise.

It’s almost as if fans knew the best was being saved for last. Because it was! 

So, when the Missouri Thunder and Kansas City Outlaws donned their matching uniforms, the energy was cranked to 12 as the 6 vs. 6 format began.

Eventually seeing the pack’s final set of riders go 6-for-12 overall, the most recent iteration of Monster Energy Team Challenge, presented by Camping World, race got started early as the first four men to nod their head exited their man vs. beast matchups with an 8-second ride. 

All four of the scores were quality outs, but it was Boudreaux Campbell’s rank 88.25-pointer dancing with Judgement which truly set the tone.

Okay, technically switch hitter Paulo Eduardo Rossetto got things started for the Thunder. 

But Campbell sure made it known his team wasn’t settling for anything other than win No. 2.

“Boudreaux, no matter what – every season. Every time I’ve seen Boudreaux go, he’s always all in. Of course, sometimes it gets a little western, he’s not always perfect and proper here and there. But he gives it all he’s got every damn time,” Thunder Head Coach Ross Coleman shared of the cowboy his organization acquired via trade just under one year ago.

“The fear factor of being a bull rider … I don’t care who you are, it’ll get you sometimes. Boudreaux ain’t scared of nothing and he goes to their ass. Having him on our team, he’s the light of the locker room. He’s fun. He’s a wild man, fun, but he’s matured a lot in the last couple of years. You can see how happy he is and it’s like a new Boudreaux. Last year he made some huge rides for us and I see the future being just fine if he keeps on doing what he’s doing tonight. It’s going to be great.”

By the time Campbell and Rossetto completed their early-session work, Missouri was already up 174.5-169 and seemed to be dictating momentum despite the Outlaws getting the chance to set the tone riding in the No. 1 and No. 3 spots. 

It seemed we had a bit of a drag race on our hands at that point – but with the Outlaws going 0-for-4 for the duration, it quickly turned into a bit of a victory lap for Coleman and company.

Watching on as his team captain Andrew Alvidrez contributed some fireworks later on, scored a quality 87.5 points for his journey aboard The Player, his “Big 3” had done their jobs.

Which makes a coach feel damn good this time of year.

“It’s so crazy – How come winning feels so good?” Coleman asked plain and simply moments after his Missouri Thunder team improved to 2-0 on the year.

“The best part is watching these guys improve. Andrew and Boudreaux, they’ve been around a long time as high-level pro bull riders, right? I can see them improving right in front of us and they’re taking in what we’re trying to give them. We’re trying our hardest not to get in their way and it’s just been so much fun."

Add in a final-frame conversion from Felipe Furlan and the team completed an impressive 4-for-6 showcase courtesy of a 348.75-169 final over their in-state rivals. 

All while claiming the Show Me State Showdown series victory. 

“It’s huge – and the best part of being the Show Me State Showdown champ is knowing that we’re representing Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops. And that’s huge because our ownership and everybody involved with the leadership at Bass Pro … it’s really good to take that trophy back to Johnny,” Coleman shared.

“He’s huge in Missouri – He’s huge all over the world, but in Missouri, he takes pride in himself about that and I think he’ll really enjoy that.”

Coming into Friday night’s duel with just a 4-8 record all-time against the Outlaws, the Thunder have been regarded as the series’ “Little Brother” for the first three season of PBR Camping World Team Series competition. Hell, the Outlaws were 3-1 in 2024 alone as they continued to rule the in-state rivalry.

Surely that sentiment has changed, or will change this summer, after seeing the red and yellow contingent improve to 2-0 all-time within the METC landscape in dominating fashion.
 
“They’re respectful young men and they love their job,” Coleman concluded.

“They love this sport. When they get here, you’re just in a positive mood when you’re around the guys. It’s just a good vibe.”

Action for the Ariat PBR Indianapolis, presented by Cooper Tires, concludes Saturday at 6:45 p.m. ET inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Fans can catch all of the Championship Saturday action LIVE and FREE on PBR’s YouTube channel, RidePass on Pluto TV and beyond! 

Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media