OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association announced Wednesday that the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo (DNCFR) is moving to Oklahoma City in 2011.
ExpressLazy E Sports Productions is bringing the DNCFR -- one of the centerpieces of the ProRodeo season - to the Oklahoma State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City. The rodeo will run March 31 through April 3.The more than $525,000 in prize money being offered makes the event one of the richest rodeos in the world.
"The PRCA is excited to bring another major professional rodeo event back to Oklahoma," said PRCA commissioner Karl Stressman. "The people of Oklahoma have always proven to be great rodeo fans and now, in addition to this fall's Nov. 5-6 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, we'll take the DNCFR to Oklahoma City in the spring."
From 1965-78, the Oklahoma State Fair Arena (then known as the Jim Norick State Fair Arena) was home to the National Finals Rodeo where, under the direction of general manager Clem McSpadden, it became a major league sports event.
The DNCFR was held in Pocatello, Idaho, from 1987-2010. In 2011, the Pocatello committee will host a Wrangler Million Dollar Tour silver rodeo, and join the fastest growing segment of ProRodeo.
The DNCFR is the showcase event of the circuit season. Each of 12 PRCA circuits sends two competitors in each event to the DNCFR - the year-end earnings champion and the winner of each Dodge-sponsored circuit final - to compete for cash, a national championship and a Dodge vehicle voucher.
The Golden Spike Arena at the Weber Country Fairgrounds currently hosts the Wilderness Cicrcuit Finals.
"The goal of the PRCA is to grow our events, and we can't think of a better place to do that than Oklahoma City - a metropolitan location in the heart of this great country," Stressman said. "We've always appreciated how supportive Oklahomans are of the sport of professional rodeo."
Tickets for the event will go on sale Dec. 1. For more information, contact the Express-Lazy E at 282-RIDE or 232-GOAL.
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