SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Stop number six of the PBR Camping World Team Series arrives in the Ozarks this weekend, August 29–31, as Thunder Days takes over Great Southern Bank Arena. The league has officially reached its halfway mark, and with the grind of the season wearing on every roster, the battles in Springfield promise to be some of the most pivotal of the year.
For the Missouri Thunder, it’s more than just another weekend—it’s their chance to defend home dirt in front of a passionate crowd. The energy in Springfield last season was electric, and with in-state rivalries and playoff positioning on the line, the 2025 edition of Thunder Days is set to deliver the same intensity.
Friday Night: Gamblers vs. Thunder
The weekend opens with the Austin Gamblers (10-4) taking on the Missouri Thunder (6-8). On paper, Austin sits in the stronger position, but their roster has been battered by injuries. The Gamblers are without two of their biggest stars: Sage Kimzey, seven-time PRCA World Champion and Kaique Pacheco, the 2018 PBR World Champion.
That leaves much of the load on Dalton Kasel and Dener Barbosa, who will be called on to anchor Austin until the champions return. Missouri enters as the underdog, but with the home crowd behind them and a healthy roster, they could catch the Gamblers at just the right time.
Saturday Night: Thunder vs. Wildcatters
Saturday night brings a battle of pride and grit as J.B. Mauney’s Oklahoma Wildcatters (4-10) square off against the Thunder. Missouri holds the edge in the standings at 6-8, but both teams know this is a winnable matchup that could reshape momentum heading into September.
For Missouri, riders like Paulo Eduardo Rossetto, Boudreaux Campbell, Andrew Alvidrez, and newcomer Macaulie Leather will need to rise to the occasion. On the Wildcatters’ side, the keys will be the leadership and performance of their anchors—Josh Frost, the 2024 PRCA World Champion, and Cort McFadden. Both must step up to the plate to keep Oklahoma competitive; if they deliver, an upset is well within reach.
As always, it will come down to the matchups—and the bulls who don’t read résumés.
Championship Sunday: In-State Rivalry
Thunder Days closes with a can’t-miss rivalry: the Kansas City Outlaws (7-7) against the Missouri Thunder. With Kansas City sitting in fifth and Missouri in seventh, just one game separates the two in the standings. Add in the fact that this is an all-Missouri showdown, and fans can expect a playoff-like atmosphere.
If Cassio Dias, the 2024 PBR World Champion, could magically return for Kansas City, it would be a game-changer for the Outlaws. But the Thunder will once again benefit from the energy of their home dirt and the energy of their hometown fans—this time fueled by what could be the league’s most charged rivalry weekend.
What’s at Stake
This weekend is more than just another regular-season stop. Springfield marks the official midway point of the season, and every win—or loss—has playoff implications as teams look ahead to Las Vegas in October. With battered rosters, in-state rivalries, and playoff positioning at risk, Thunder Days could be a turning point for multiple franchises.
The PBR Camping World Team Series has already shown how unpredictable bull riding can be. On any given night, one ride can change the trajectory of a team’s season. That unpredictability—and the courage of the riders who face it—is what will make Thunder Days one of the must-watch stops of the year.
Fans can catch every second of the action live in Springfield or tune in through PBR’s broadcast partners via the official watch page.
BEYOND THE DIRT
The Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation is carrying forward the same spirit of resilience seen in bull riding — but in a way that changes lives off the dirt. The Foundation provides access to the Action Trackchair, a groundbreaking all-terrain wheelchair designed to give people with mobility challenges the freedom to experience the outdoors without limits.
But here’s the harsh truth: no insurance will cover these life-changing pieces of equipment, and their hefty $25,000 price tag puts them out of reach for the very people who need them most. That is why the Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation exists — to bridge that gap and make the impossible possible. Because you can’t put a price on freedom, independence, and living life to the fullest.
Whether it’s navigating rough pastures, rolling through wooded trails, or simply enjoying time with family in places a standard wheelchair can’t reach, the Action Trackchair opens doors to a level of independence many thought was lost. It’s not just equipment — it’s freedom, dignity, and the chance to live fully.
Just as PBR athletes push themselves to conquer challenges eight seconds at a time, the Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation helps others overcome obstacles of their own, ensuring no one is left behind when it comes to the Western lifestyle and the outdoors.
To learn more — and to be part of helping someone reclaim that freedom — visit www.moafoundation.org.
Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media