SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Stop number six of the PBR Camping World Team Series had arrived, and the Missouri Thunder stormed onto their home dirt at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield, Missouri. Friday, August 29, marked the opening night of Thunder Days as fans packed the arena for one of the most electric weekends on the PBR calendar.
The Missouri Thunder (6–8) entered the night sitting seventh in the league standings, while their opponents, the defending 2024 PBR Team Series Champions, the Austin Gamblers (10–4), came in ranked second overall. On paper, it looked like a true David versus Goliath showdown. But with Austin battling through a wave of injuries, Missouri wasn't down and out.
As opening ceremonies aired on Fox Nation, anticipation ran high. Could Clay Guiton rebound after bucking off just his second bull of the entire season and remain atop the MVP standings? Would Missouri find a way to slay the giants from Austin? Those questions—and more—were answered as the gates swung open on Night One of Thunder Days.
NIGHT ONE — AUGUST 29, 2025
TOP 3 TAKEAWAYS — FRIDAY
3. Wildcatters Shock Carolina with Stunning Upset
The very first game of the night set the tone, and it was nothing short of a surprise. On paper, the Carolina Cowboys looked primed to handle business — but the Oklahoma Wildcatters had other plans. After starting the season with nine losses in their first ten games, Oklahoma turned their season around, winning four of their last five contests. With two more games left that weekend and six regular-season stops before the Finals, the Wildcatters put the entire league on notice.
2. Arizona Escapes by the Slimmest of Margins
Luck continued to ride with the Arizona Ridge Riders. They managed to escape with a razor-thin victory over Texas, edging them out by just a quarter of a point. Arizona became the only team in the league this season to win three games in the first half of the year with just one qualified ride — a feat that spoke to both their resilience and ability to survive close calls.
1. MVP Race Shifts Three Times in One Night
Clay Guiton began the night leading the MVP standings, but the race moved fast and furious. As Guiton failed to make the whistle, all eyes turned to the Florida Freedom vs. New York Mavericks matchup. In that game, Thiago Salgado of Florida seized the moment with an 85-point ride, overtaking Guiton — but only momentarily. Moments later, Freedom’s 20-year-old phenom John Crimber surged ahead with a stunning 89.5-point ride, vaulting into the top spot in the MVP race. By the end of Night One, the leaderboard had shifted twice in one night, with Crimber now at No. 1, followed by Salgado at No. 2.
Event Results — Night One
Miss any of the action? Dive into the full bull and rider stats from Night One of Thunder Days. Click HERE for complete results.
Updated Standings After Night One
Florida Freedom – 11–4
Austin Gamblers – 11–4
Arizona Ridge Riders – 11–4
Texas Rattlers – 8–7
Kansas City Outlaws – 7–8
Carolina Cowboys – 6–9
Nashville Stampede – 6–9
Missouri Thunder – 6–9
Oklahoma Wildcatters – 5–10
New York Mavericks – 3–12
NIGHT TWO — AUGUST 30, 2025
The lights were brighter, the pressure heavier and the questions bigger than ever as fans poured into Great Southern Bank Arena for Night Two of Thunder Days. What had unfolded the night before was unpredictable, but Saturday felt like the kind of evening that could shift the entire balance of the PBR Camping World Team Series season.
As the Missouri Thunder prepared to defend their home dirt against the surging Oklahoma Wildcatters, who had won four of their last five contests, fans couldn’t help but wonder: Would the Thunder strike and end Oklahoma’s hot streak, or would momentum continue to roll in the Wildcatters’ favor? Florida, meanwhile, entered the night holding firm to the top of both the regular-season standings and the MVP race — but with constant movement at the top, how long could the Freedom hang on?
Another wrinkle in Springfield came not just from the bulls or the riders, but from the arena itself. Great Southern Bank Arena is one of the smallest on the PBR schedule — comparable to Albuquerque during the Unleash The Beast season. In an arena that size, teams with depth were wise to bring all seven riders they had available. It didn’t leave much room for these phenomenal animal athletes to get clean outs, and Night One featured a lot of re-ride opportunities because of it. Depth mattered here, and it could have played a huge role in who left Springfield with momentum.
Oklahoma brought serious firepower with the likes of Cort McFadden, Eduardo Matos and Josh Frost — all capable of posting big scores. Missouri, though, had talent and determination on their side and needed every ounce of it to protect home dirt in the nightcap; Game Five.
Beyond the headliner matchup, plenty of storylines were simmering. Could Arizona’s close-call magic continue after squeaking past Texas by just a quarter of a point the night before? Could Carolina finally turn the corner and get rolling? And perhaps the most pressing question — could Clay Guiton rebound from back-to-back buckoffs and reclaim control of the MVP race?
3. Wildcatters Go Wild on Thunder
The Oklahoma Wildcatters continued their surge by defeating the home team Missouri Thunder, extending their hot streak to five wins in their last six contests. The Wildcatters showed no signs of slowing down, proving that momentum was firmly in their corner.
2. Carolina’s Continued Struggles
It’s been a season to forget for the Carolina Cowboys. With Cooper Davis battling inconsistencies and Clay Guiton unable to recapture his rhythm, Carolina slid further down the standings than expected. Still, as the old saying goes, every streak begins with one.
1. The Upset Heard Around the League
Perhaps the biggest shock of the night came when the depleted Kansas City Outlaws toppled the No. 1-ranked Florida Freedom. Despite a roster stretched thin, Kansas City found a way to pull off the upset. The loss dropped Florida from the top spot, and the Austin Gamblers now officially sat No. 1 heading into the Sunday slate.
Event Results — Night Two
Want every out, every score and every matchup from Night Two? Click HERE for the official results.
Updated Standings After Night Two
Austin Gamblers – 12–4
Arizona Ridge Riders – 12–4
Florida Freedom – 11–5
Texas Rattlers – 9–7
Kansas City Outlaws – 8–8
Carolina Cowboys – 6–10
Nashville Stampede – 6–10
Oklahoma Wildcatters – 6–10
Missouri Thunder – 6–10
New York Mavericks – 3–13
SUNDAY SLATE — AUGUST 31, 2025
Two nights of drama, upsets and shifting momentum had already made Thunder Days in Springfield one of the most memorable stops on the PBR Camping World Team Series calendar. Then came Sunday — an afternoon performance that promised to bring the weekend to a thrilling close.
This time, it was an in-state rivalry as the Missouri Thunder squared off against the Kansas City Outlaws. With pride, bragging rights and critical league points all on the line, fans inside Great Southern Bank Arena were set to witness one of the most anticipated matchups of the season.
With the standings tightening at the halfway point and the MVP race still wide open, the Sunday afternoon showdown carried major implications for the stretch run toward Las Vegas this October.
The question was simple: Who would rise to the occasion under the Sunday afternoon lights, and who would falter as the grind of the season reached its midpoint? Fans inside Great Southern Bank Arena — and those watching on The CW Network — were about to find out.
TOP 3 TAKEAWAYS — SUNDAY
3. Florida Responds with Vengeance
Florida bounced back in dominant fashion after narrowly losing to the Kansas City Outlaws the night before — a team skating by without Cássio Dias and Sandro Batista. While Florida should have cruised past them Saturday, Kansas City stole the win and knocked the Freedom out of the No. 1 spot. On Championship Sunday, however, Florida returned with purpose against the Arizona Ridge Riders. Only John Crimber failed to make the whistle, but his consistency helped push him into third in the MVP standings at the halfway mark.
2. Missouri Thunder Outlast In-State Rivals
The Missouri Thunder got gritty in a low-scoring battle against the Kansas City Outlaws, pulling out a clutch win in front of their home crowd. Both teams were missing key names — Missouri still without Andrew Alvidrez and Felipe Furlan, both sidelined. Despite the depleted lineups, Missouri held on to take the win and close out their homestand on a high note.
1. J.B. Mauney’s Wildcatters Keep Rolling
The Oklahoma Wildcatters, led by legendary bull rider J.B. Mauney, continued their second-half tear. Entering the weekend ninth in the standings, the Wildcatters rattled off their sixth win in seven games and climbed into sixth place overall. Their momentum was undeniable, and Mauney’s influence was palpable. If Oklahoma keeps up this pace, a top-five finish — and possibly more — might be within reach.
Event Results — Sunday Finale
Did you catch all the action from the final day in Springfield? You can view every score, every matchup and all the bull stats right HERE.
Updated PBR Team Standings — August 31, 2025
Austin Gamblers – 13–4
Florida Freedom – 12–5
Arizona Ridge Riders – 12–5
Texas Rattlers – 10–7
Kansas City Outlaws – 8–9
Oklahoma Wildcatters – 7–10
Missouri Thunder – 7–10
Carolina Cowboys – 6–11
Nashville Stampede – 6–11
New York Mavericks – 3–14
Updated MVP Standings
The MVP race tightened even further following Thunder Days. Click HERE for the full leaderboard and to see where your favorite riders stack up.
BEYOND THE DIRT
The Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation carried forward the same spirit of resilience seen in bull riding — only this time, 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 covers these life-changing pieces of equipment, and their $25,000 price tag puts them out of reach for the very people who need them most. That’s why the Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation exists — to bridge the 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 spending time with family in places a standard wheelchair can’t reach, the Action Trackchair opens the door to a whole new level of independence. It’s not just equipment — it’s freedom, dignity and the opportunity 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 living the Western lifestyle.
To learn more — or to be part of helping someone reclaim their freedom — visit www.moafoundation.org.
Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media