The Ram Top Gun award was established for the 2010 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo to reward the contestant who did the best over 10 days at ProRodeo’s championship.
But maybe the Ram folks (formerly the Dodge folks) should consider a name change and call it the Tough Gun award, given to one tough-luck contestant who failed to cash in at the NFR.
Here’s why I think that: First off, the people up for the Top Gun award earned enough money over the course of the NFR to buy their own vehicles. For heaven’s sake, Trevor Brazile earned the title by winning $211,509 at the NFR and added $28,000 at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping.
As always is the case, the man walking away with the new Ram pickup is less in need of it than, say, Ryan Gray (injured) or Dustin Flundra, both of whom earned the right to play on the biggest stage of the sport but didn’t earn a stinkin’ dime. Put their names in a hat and draw for the Ram Tough Gun award winner.
Because Trevor, J.W. Harris ($158,738), Cody Wright, ($148,287) and all the others who finished in the top 10 of the Ram Top Gun award did well enough to buy their own. Give it to the contestants who could really use it.