Grand Rapids Welcomes Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour for Sixth Consecutive Season Jan. 28-29
By: Kacie Albert
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Home to one of the most tenured events in tour history, Grand Rapids, Michigan, will welcome the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour for the sixth time in 2022, hosting the PBR Tractor Supply Classic on Jan. 28-29 at Van Andel Arena.
For two nights only, 40 of the best bull riders from around the world will compete in one of the most exciting live sporting events to witness, showcasing the ultimate showdown of man vs. beast.
In 2021, the electric Great Lake State crowd inside Van Andel Arena saw surging Brazilian Leonardo Lima (Vale do Paraiso, Brazil) reach a critical career milestone. He clinched his first Velocity Tour event win compliments of an impressive 88-point score aboard Pennsylvania-raised bovine athlete White Dust (Mike Miller Bucking Bulls).
The Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour is known for playing a key role in riders reaching the top levels of competition in professional bull riding, shown in the 2018 iteration of the event in Grand Rapids.
Delivering a perfect 2-for-2 effort, including an event-best, 89.5-point score aboard Stand Up (Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger) in the championship round, Colten Jesse (Konawa, Oklahoma) captured the event win, subsequently propelling him to the elite Unleash The Beast.
Jesse remained a staple contender on the premier series for the remainder of the season and qualified for his first appearance at the prestigious PBR World Finals. While Jesse is currently sidelined by injury, he contended for the World Championship in 2020, concluding the season a career-high No. 14 in the world.
Other past PBR Grand Rapids Classic event winners include Joseph McConnel (2020), Scottie Knapp (2019) and Jake Gowdy (2017).
The bull riding action for the 2022 PBR Tractor Supply Classic begins with Round 1 at 8 p.m. EST on Friday, January 28, followed by Round 2 and the championship round at 7:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 29.
All 40 bull riders will get on one bull each in Rounds 1-2. Following Round 2 Saturday evening, the riders’ two-round scores will be totaled, with the Top 10 advancing to the championship round for one more out and a chance at the event title.
Tickets for the two-day event go on sale Friday, October 25 at 10 a.m. EDT, and start at $15, taxes and fees not included. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early, with all price levels increasing $5 on event day. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Van Andel Arena Box Office or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.
Two-day ticket packages will also be available, offering fans up to a 15% discount on select price levels.
PBR Elite Seats are available for avid fans who want an exclusive VIP experience while enjoying the world’s top bull riding circuit. These tickets, available for $225, offer the best seats in the venue, a question-and-answer presentation with some of the top bull riders and stock contractors in the world, $10 concession voucher, souvenir credential and lanyard, and post-event photo opportunity from the dirt.
For an enhanced PBR experience, fans can now purchase add-on PBR Premium Experiences which will include the Elite Experience on both Friday, January 28, and Saturday, January 29.
The Elite Experience, available for $50, will include a Q&A session with a select group of the league’s top riders, bullfighters and stock contractors, photo opportunity, $10 concession voucher and commemorative credential and lanyard.
For more information on PBR Premium Experiences or to purchase the Elite Experience for the PBR Tractor Supply Classic in Grand Rapids, Michigan, visit https://pbr.com/tickets/premium-experiences/.
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