8 Seconds with Chase Outlaw

PUEBLO, Colo. – Chase Outlaw was one of the hottest riders in bull riding when he arrived in Las Vegas last month for PBR Finals Week.

Outlaw was coming off his first Built Ford Tough Series event win of the season after winning the regular-season finale in Tucson, Arizona, after a 3-for-3 performance. He then continued the streak in Las Vegas, where he went 3-for-4 to win the Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour Finals. His RVT Finals win also secured him the 2016 Velocity Tour Championship.

It was an especially sweet accomplishment for Outlaw, who got himself back on track after lighting up the summer Velocity Tour circuit after returning from a major shoulder injury that took him out of the first half of the BFTS season.

Outlaw went on to win Round 1 of the Built Ford Tough World Finals after an 89.5-point ride on Air Marshall. He finished the World Finals 3-for-6 and seventh overall in the event.

The Velocity Tour was crucial for Outlaw who, despite returning from the major injury, was able to quickly get acclimated again to the PBR competition.

PBR.com caught up with Outlaw and asked him how important the Velocity Tour was to his successful return.

PBR.com: What was the biggest asset the Velocity Tour gave you in your return?

Chase Outlaw: Points. It helped me get a lot of extra points, and whenever you can get some extra points, why wouldn’t you?

PBR.com: Were you able to ease your way back in or was there a sense of urgency upon returning?

CO: I had to do good once I got back because I only had those five (BFTS) injury exemptions to get back into the standings, so I could keep going.

PBR.com: The summer was especially successful for you, what was the competition like?

CO: During the summer, it was all the Built Ford Tough (Series) bulls at the events like Smooth Operator, Beaver Creek Beau, and all the bull ridings at Chad’s (Berger) events were those Built Ford Tough bulls. So it was a lot like the Built Ford Tough Series. I loved it, it got me back into the swing of things.

PBR.com: A lot of riders say great things about those summer events, are they your favorites?

CO: Oh absolutely, the summer is my favorite.

PBR.com: Does it help having those kind of events that maintain a high level of competition during the BFTS break?

CO: I think that’s the best part. If you stay hot during the summer, and get hot after the summer break, and into the Built Ford Toughs it’s just as important to keep that momentum and carry it on. It’s better to start with some momentum rolling rather than trying to get it rolling.

PBR.com: Did you have to change anything mentally once you got back to the BFTS?

CO: I wouldn’t say anything mentally changed, just what I’ve been doing all summer. I’d ride a few, then I’d buck off a few, but you got to have consistency if you want to win at the Built Ford Tough Series level.

PBR.com: What kind of advice would you give to young riders just breaking into the Velocity Tour looking to work their way up?

CO: If you really want to make it, you can’t be scared to enter. Don’t be scared to enter because you can’t win if you don’t enter. If you get on a lot of bulls that’s just more chances to win.

The Real Time Velocity Tour continues its 2017 season this weekend in Hidalgo, Texas. Bull riding action at State Farm Arena begins at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday night and 2 p.m. CT Sunday afternoon.