There were places in America where the land told the story before the people did—where mornings began early, hands got dirty, and success was measured in results, not noise. Sacramento, California, sat at the heart of one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, shaped by patience, resilience, and generations who knew nothing worthwhile came easy. It was a city defined by fields, rivers, and work done properly.
For one pivotal weekend—Stop No. 7 of the PBR Unleash the Beast Series—that same place became a proving ground for a different kind of harvest, measured in courage, consequence, and eight seconds that could change a season. The standings had tightened. The margins had shrunk. Every ride mattered.
As one of only four three-day events on the regular-season schedule, Sacramento carried larger implications. More rounds meant more points, more money, and more opportunity — whether climbing from the bottom or creating separation at the top. One strong weekend had the power to shift momentum in either direction.
As fans eagerly filled the Golden 1 Center — and others watched live at home on Paramount+ or caught up on demand — there were questions hanging in the air waiting to be answered. Could Dalton Kasel’s momentum continue? Could Sage Steele Kimzey keep the season tilting in his favor and capture another event title? Could Brady Fielder and John Crimber get the train back on the tracks?
Sacramento may be known for hard work, fertile ground, and a culture built on patience and persistence. But to longtime PBR fans, the city carries a different meaning. When Sacramento came up on the schedule, it brought memories of great rides and unforgettable moments. And there was always one tradition that seemed to cross everyone’s mind, quietly waiting to make an appearance.
The Sacramento Sip
For those new to the PBR, it was a rite of passage unique to this stop. A simple act — pouring an adult beverage, often a cold Busch Light, into a cowboy boot and drinking it straight from the leather. Equal parts celebration and spectacle, it had become part of Sacramento’s folklore on tour, something that happened when the moment felt right.
And as the weekend unfolded, the real question was never whether Sacramento would deliver — but how long it would take before it reminded everyone exactly why it always did.
So how did it all shake out?
After Friday night’s opening performance, the tone of the weekend became clear quickly. Three takeaways built on one another, beginning at the bottom of the draw and working all the way to the top.
Top Three Takeaways — Friday Night | January 30, 2026
No. 3 — The Bottom of the Field Started to Rise
Friday night in Sacramento delivered a reminder that momentum doesn’t always announce itself from the top of the standings. Sometimes it starts quietly — near the bottom of the draw — until the rest of the locker room takes notice.
Hobart, Oklahoma’s Wyatt Rogers continued what had quietly become one of the best early-season runs of his career, covering Tarrin’s Dream for 81.90 in Round 1.
Eighteen-year-old rookie Elijah Jennings earned his opportunity and stayed aboard Carlos Danger for 84.40, riding with composure well beyond his years.
The bottom of the field wasn’t content staying there.
No. 2 — John Crimber Put Something Positive on the Board
Friday night mattered for John Crimber.
After a start to the season that didn’t resemble his usual standard, the back-to-back PBR Teams MVP stopped the slide with an 87.50-point ride aboard Creedmore Precision. It wasn’t cautious. It wasn’t survival. It was conviction.
Sacramento felt like a reset for PBR’s most-hyped young star.
No. 1 — José Vitor Leme Delivered When It Mattered Most
For José Vitor Leme, Friday night in Sacramento stood as a statement.
Covering Dirty Honey for 89.20, Leme claimed the go-round win and reminded the entire field why championships aren’t won by accident. That victory also carried historic weight, marking the 92nd Premier Series go-round win of his career, moving him into second place all-time on the elite tour’s round-win list, trailing only J.B. Mauney.
The ride re-centered a champion and added another chapter to a legacy still being written.
Top 12 Riders Heading into Round 2 — Saturday Night
José Vitor Leme — 89.20
Kaiden Loud — 89.10
Marco Rizzo — 88.00
Keyshawn Whitehorse — 87.65
John Crimber — 87.50
Clay Guiton — 87.30
Sage Steele Kimzey — 86.80
Manoelito de Souza Junior — 86.60
Cort McFadden — 86.50
Lucas Divino — 86.35
Callum Miller — 85.55
Brady Fielder — 84.65
Monster Energy Team Challenge — Friday Night
Friday night also carried added weight with the Monster Energy Team Challenge.
Cleber Henrique Marques, representing the New York Mavericks, and Mason Taylor, representing the Nashville Stampede, both entered the matchup in must-ride territory. Neither rider was able to capitalize, exiting after buckoffs aboard Sucker Pop and I’m a Hostage, respectively, and were disqualified from the remainder of the weekend.
Turning the Page to Saturday Night — Go-Round No. 2 | January 31, 2026
Friday night established the foundation, but it did not decide the weekend.
With Sacramento standing as one of only four three-day events on the regular-season calendar, Saturday night represented the hinge point.
Top Three Takeaways — Saturday Night | January 31, 2026
No. 3 — Sacramento Delivered the Ride Count of the Season
The world’s best riders were at their best. With 26 qualified rides, Round 2 produced the highest single-round total of the season to that point. Eleven riders now held two scores, making perfection a requirement rather than a goal.
No. 2 — The Tradition Continued on the Shark Cage
John Crimber covered Hookie Monster for 88.40, then shared a moment atop the shark cage with Flint Rasmussen, recreating a celebration once made famous by his father, Paulo Crimber, now the coach of the Florida Freedom.
It was a moment caught by social media and enjoyed by fans everywhere.
No. 1 — The Champion Answered the Question
Going two-for-two, José Vitor Leme covered Nefarious for 88.30 and seized control of the event heading into the final day.
Sacramento reignited the three-time World Champion’s pursuit of an unprecedented fourth individual title.
Round No. 2 Winner
Round No. 2 belonged to Dalton Kasel, who delivered the highest-marked ride of the night, covering Sour Patch for 90.55 points to win the round.
Updated Event Standings After Two Rounds
José Vitor Leme — 177.50
John Crimber — 175.90
Dalton Kasel — 175.10
Cort McFadden — 174.40
Clay Guiton — 174.30
Callum Miller — 173.80
Manoelito de Souza Junior — 173.10
Lucas Divino — 170.50
João Ricardo Vieira — 167.80
Alex Cerqueira — 167.65
Sage Steele Kimzey — 161.85
Kaiden Loud — 89.10
And With a Blink of an Eye, Championship Sunday Arrives
By the time the final day dawned in Sacramento, there was no buildup left — only execution. Two performances had reshaped the leaderboard, tightened margins, and clarified who still had a path forward.
Round No. 3 Winner
With 14 qualified rides recorded in Round 3, the afternoon underscored just how competitive the event had become. In the end, it belonged to Manoelito de Souza Junior, who covered Electric Kitty for 89.05 points to win the final long round.
Top Three Takeaways — Championship Sunday | February 1, 2026
No. 3 — Dalton Kasel Shows Incredible Grit
Dalton Kasel’s Championship Sunday began with adversity and revealed exactly why he remains one of the most dangerous competitors in the sport.
Originally matched with Kiowa Havoc in Round 3, Kasel delivered one of the grittiest efforts seen all season. Awarded a re-ride, he drew Walk Hard and capitalized, covering the bull for 88.40 points to vault into the overall lead heading into the Championship Round.
No. 2 — Clay Guiton Executes Once Again
With the Championship Round contested in draft format, Clay Guiton selected American Made and delivered one of just three qualified rides, covering the bull for 89.75 points.
Cort McFadden covered Scrappy for 87.60, while John Crimber stayed aboard Tigger for 88.65.
No. 1 — John Crimber Responds Like a Champion
John Crimber went 4-for-4, knocking down a clutch Championship Round ride on Tigger to edge Guiton 351.85 to 351.70 and secure his first event win of the 2026 season.
Relaxed. Focused. Having fun again.
Final Event Aggregate — Top 5 Riders
Four Bulls | Sacramento
John Crimber — 351.85
Clay Guiton — 351.70
Dalton Kasel — 263.50
Manoelito de Souza Junior — 262.15
Cort McFadden — 262.00
Do you not see your favorite rider in the top five? Or are you more a fan of the bulls and want to see all the bull scores, buckoff times, and more?
For full results click HERE.
Beyond the Dirt
PBR has always stood for more than eight seconds. At its core, the sport reflects grit, resilience, faith, and the belief that hard work can change a life. That shared spirit is why the connection between PBR and Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation runs deeper than the arena dirt.
We currently provide Action Trackchairs to individuals in Oklahoma and Arkansas who need them most and cannot afford them on their own. Because no one should be left behind.
To learn more, visit www.moafoundation.org.
Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media