GET SOCIAL 
SHOP NOW AT:
WRANGLER.COM

Mauney Can Jump into Top 15 with Victory in Nashville

By: Justin Felisko
August 18, 2018

J.B. Mauney is currently ranked No. 40 in the world standings. Photo: Andy Watson/BullStockMedia.com.

NASHVILLE – J.B. Mauney was walking around the corner of the hallway inside Bridgestone Arena when Fabiano Vieira snuck up behind him and tried to rip off Mauney’s gym shorts.

Vieira burst out laughing as Mauney did a 360-degree turn, whipping around to see who was trying to pull a fast, practical joke on him.

Mauney then grinned and laughed with Vieira.

The two-time World Champion was in good spirits on Friday afternoon before the start of the Music City Knockout, presented by Cooper Tires.

For as much as he has struggled this year, Mauney has kept his composure despite being ranked 40th in the world standings.

Mauney had his bravado on full display in the locker room, commanding the room with his presence, jovial mentality and sarcastic personality.

“I am not too worried about it,” Mauney said of the possibility of missing the World Finals for the first time in his career. “I don’t put a lot of thought into it. No matter if I am sitting 40th or first, I don’t really look at the standings.”

For any other rider not ranked in the Top 35 of the world standings, and even some riders that are, that kind of mentality before a $100,000 PBR Major event could be concerning, but for Mauney it is far from it.

Peel back Mauney’s outside layer, and the inner rings of J.B. Mauney reveal a passionate, driven and extremely serious bull rider.

“When I leave that locker room it is kind of game time,” Mauney said. “I still will be calm, cool and collected on the bucking chutes, but when we are in there it is business then.

“It is bull riding. It is 8 seconds. There is not a whole lot to think about.”

Mauney has qualified for 13 consecutive PBR World Finals, and he has no plans on missing them this year despite struggling to fully recover from a career-threatening shoulder surgery almost 13 months ago, as well as a broken back in April and torn groin in the season-opener.

“That is the way it goes sometimes,” Mauney said. “The injuries that I had. They weren’t like I could just tape them and keep going. I have seen guys get hurt a lot worse. I am not complaining.”

 
Mauney took a step toward cracking the Top 35 on Friday night by advancing to Round 3 of the Music City Knockout.

The 31-year-old eliminated Ryan Dirteater (2.41 seconds on Ringo Kid) in Round 1 when he lasted 3.94 seconds on Barn Cat.

Mauney then knocked out home-state favorite Cody Nance (1.65 seconds on Red Sails In The Sunset) in Round 2 with his 87.5-point effort aboard Huckleberry.

The ride is tied for his second-best of 2018.

“The first bull I got on tonight, I was so worried,” Mauney said. “I watched (the telecast) back last week and they were talking about how I couldn’t get my arm over my head and bulls going into my hand. On the first one, I was thinking too much. That bull is always turning back to the left, so I had it drilled into my head to make sure I get it over my head. The bull hits and goes right. Bucks me off and that pissed me off enough.

“I came back in here and I told myself, ‘What the hell am I doing? I am thinking way too much.’ I never thought about anything. This isn’t a business. You get on there, you tie your hand in there and you don’t let go until the whistle blows.”

Two-time World Champion Justin McBride was impressed with Mauney’s ability to lift his free arm during the ride.

“He is getting his free arm where it is needed to be,” McBride said on CBS Sports Network. “That was huge for Mauney. Not only because he needed a ride, but he feels he can get where he needs to be.”

Mauney picked up 50 world points for advancing to Round 3 and he is ranked 37th in the world standings.

The North Carolina cowboy will square off against Tanner Byrne in Round 3.

Mauney has drawn Big Black (6-1, PBR UTB), and Byrne will take on Lightning Before Thunder (5-2, PBR UTB).

Fans can watch the conclusion of the Music City Knockout on CBS national television Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Mauney has had some success in Nashville, winning the Ride Score Championship in 2016.

A victory on Saturday night, including a Ride Score Championship, would net Mauney 1,205 total points and push him all the way back to potentially No. 11 in the world standings.

World leader Kaique Pacheco has already been eliminated from the tournament. Therefore, Mauney could get potentially to within 1,303.34 points of the world leader.

Mauney, though, isn’t paying much attention to that for now.

“It is just another bull riding,” Mauney said. “There is a lot of points, but it is just another bull riding. Win no matter what.

“Win every day. Win every weekend. Win the world. That is always the goal, no matter what. Win.”

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko

© 2018 PBR Inc. All rights reserved.

Related Content