ProRodeo Sports News - November 17, 2023

PRORODEO CONNECTIONS

Rodeo world collides with NASCAR for Phoenix Xfinity race Collaboration Fernando Sam-Sin photo Bareback rider Rocker Steiner stands in front of the PRCA-branded No. 31 FunkAway Chevy Camaro with NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Parker Retzlaff prior to Retzlaff taking the track at Phoenix Raceway.

BY TRACY RENCK T he worlds of rodeo and NASCAR collided Nov. 4 at Phoenix Raceway. Bareback rider Rocker Steiner, a two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier 2022-23, shared a day with NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Parker Retzlaff out of the Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport stable. Retzlaff drives the No. 31 FunkAway Chevy Camaro. Steiner, 19, was thrilled to be part of the NASCAR experience.

The morning started with Steiner climbing into a pace car – with Retzlaff driving – and making some laps over 100 mph at the one-mile oval. “The coolest part about that is that it’s so much different than watching it on TV and being in a car going half as fast as these guys are going when they are racing,” Steiner said. “Going around that track, you feel like you’re flying. I could only imagine what it would feel like going twice as fast with 37 other cars around you. It is pretty crazy what these guys do. “It is a cool sport. I think athletes recognize athletes and it is cool to see how different another sport is.” Steiner’s father Sid, the 2002 PRCA Steer Wrestling World

ProRodeo Sports News 11/17/2023

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