Brazile closes in on another NFR title

LAS VEGAS — A night after wrapping up his 17th gold buckle as the all-around champion, Trevor Brazile closed in on a record-tying 18th season title by finishing second Tuesday night in the sixth round of team roping to retain the header lead with four rounds left in the National Finals Rodeo.

Guy Allen holds the record with 18 season championships, all in steer roping.

If Brazile, from Decatur, Texas, and heeler Patrick Smith, from Lipan, Texas, win another round, Brazile will match Billy Etbauer’s record of 51 NFR victories.

Brazile also is trying to become the first cowboy to win multiple world championships in four categories. He has 10 all-around titles, three in tie-down roping, three in steer roping and one in tie-down roping.

“It’s just such a relief,” Brazile said about winning the all-around title. “As much as I try not to let it affect anything, it kind of just releases me to go try to do whatever it takes to win the team roping and just concentrate on that title. That is the immediate thing that I think about. And as far as the long-term stuff, 10 world titles is more than I ever could have dreamed of. It’s awesome.”

Brazile pushed his all-around total to $298,626.

In team roping, Brazile and Smith finished second in 4.1 seconds in the sixth round. Brazile has earned $182,903 in the event, and Smith tops the heelers with $184,403.

Header Kaleb Driggers of Albany, Ga., second with $145,123, and heeler Jade Corkill of Fallon, Nev., who has made $141,032, were shut out in the round by failing to place in the top six with their run of 4.4.

Header Colby Lovell of Madisonville, Texas, and heeler Russell Cardoza of Terrebonne, Ore., won in 3.7.

In barrel racing, Mary Walker of Ennis, Texas, finished second in 13.76 seconds to take the season lead with $204,149.