Monday, Oct. 28, 2002 | 9:21 a.m.
The record will show that J.W. Hart of Marietta, Okla., won the Professional Bull Riders World Finals on Sunday at the Thomas and Mack Center on Sunday.
In truth, though, the real winner from the $1.2 million event is likely to be Hart's father.
"I'm gonna go home and buy him a new tractor, because he likes the air-conditioned tractors now," Hart said.
With his total prize money from the four-day event of $281,500, it is a pretty safe bet that a very nice tractor will soon be arriving at the Hart residence. The old one gave out on his father at an inopportune time.
"The tractor blowed up in the middle of planting," Hart said, adding that the family was then forced to lease an air-conditioned tractor to finish the job. "He got pretty spoiled of (the air)."
Hart left fans in Las Vegas feeling spoiled. Hart covered all four of the bulls he drew over the weekend -- including a Sunday round high of 93 aboard Rational Solution -- to enter the championship round with a nearly insurmountable lead over the field of the 45 best bull riders of 2002, based on earnings.
In his own words, 2002 has been a tough year for Hart, who has battled nagging hip and spine injuries throughout the season. Hart, the PBR's ironman who has appeared in 180 consecutive Bud Light Cup events, said that he still felt confident in each round this weekend.
"I get ready for every one of (the bulls) the same," Hart said.
The victory at the season-ending event for the PBR netted Hart more than five times the $52,000 he had already earned this year. Cory McFadden of Stephensville, Texas placed second overall in the World Finals, thanks in part to a score of 95 aboard Little Yellow Jacket -- the 2002 PBR Bull of the Year -- in the championship round. That round victory earned McFadden $22,000, while Chris Shivers of Jonesville, La., and Troy Dunn of Australia were the only other riders in the 15-man short-go to cover their bulls.
"I was pretty confident when I got here," McFadden said. "Las Vegas has been pretty good to me."
The overall points champion for the year was Brazilian rider Ednei Caminhas, who had sealed up the title before the start of the World Finals.
Dan Henricks, a 21-year old rider from Keithville, La., claimed the Rookie of the Year title with a 12th-place finish this weekend. Henricks did not win an event this season, but his consistent performance helped him earn the title.
"I feel blessed that was able to ride as good as I did and win it," Henricks said.
Sunday also marked the end of an era with the retirement of legendary bull rider Ty Murray, who was inducted into the PBR Ring of Honor. "The King of Cowboys" earned more than $1 million in his PBR career.
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