As part of the rodeo participants NIRA membership, competitors are automatically entered into the drawing.
It’s a random drawing, where all the names are put into a hat with one winner being picked out each year.
This year, the lucky winner of the truck (which they get to keep forever) is AJ Kee from Missouri.
AJ Kee standing in front of his brand new College Rodeo RAM 2500.
The NIRA RAM Truck Winner is given the truck at the CNFR (College National Finals Rodeo) in Casper, WY.
We caught up with AJ to find out how he feels about being the NIRA RAM Truck Winner!
Tell us about when you got the phone call to say you had won a brand new RAM Truck?
“Well, I was at my rodeo team banquet at my school and my coach that morning was like ‘Hey did you get a phone call from anybody’ and I’m like well I ain’t checked my phone yet.
He’s like ‘oh alright well hey, congratulations’ and I’m like uh…thanks.
Then after the banquet, he came up to me again and asked if I’d got a phone call/voicemail.
No I ain’t checked my phone again yet, I said.
He told me to go check my phone. I checked my phone and I had a voicemail from Roger [Walters- NIRA Commissioner] to call him back.
Coach said I needed to call him back, it’s some pretty cool news.
I’m thinking did everyone draw out of the CNFR, do I win or something?
Coach said, ‘No it’s not that, but you’ll like it.’
All the coaches in the region had known that I’d won the truck way before I knew.
I called him back and Roger is like, ‘How are you today?’ and I’m like ‘Oh I’m doin’ just fine’ and he says, ‘Well…you’re about to have the best day of your life, you just won a brand new RAM Truck.‘
I said, this has to be a sick joke, who are you, this isn’t cool man, I have a pretty crappy car.
Roger replied, ‘No I’m serious, go ask your coach.’
I went back in there, the entire rodeo team was gathered and I had the biggest grin on my face. The coach had told them what I’d just won.
I still didn’t believe it. So I called here [Fremont Motors] and they’re like ‘YEAH you won a truck!’
I called my parents and my parents didn’t believe it. It took my dad 3 hrs to call the dealership and confirm it. Pretty cool.”
What do you currently drive?
“Right now nothing because I sold my car. But I was driving a 2008 Jeep Patriot.
When I got the Jeep Patriot, I took it down my buddies road back home in Missouri. Nicked the oil pan, blew the motor, ended up throwing a new motor in it with lesser miles. It didn’t even have cruise control, basic as basic gets.”
Which school do you attend and what is your major?
What rodeo event do you compete in and how do you stay disciplined?
“Bareback. Working out a lot, being positive about everything. A positive mind especially with bucking horses is very important.
My coach tells me all the time, ‘You know, every other rodeo event you can have fun… not bareback riding.’
Just the physical aspect of it, it’s like getting in a boxing match with somebody, it’s intense.
It takes everything you have to offer just to stay on the horse.
It’s so fundamentally important to be mentally strong getting on these horses. If you get on thinking you’re goin’ to get bucked off, you’re getting bucked off. “
CNFR Casper Wyoming.
How did you get into rodeo, and why did you choose bareback riding?
“My dad used to rodeo a long time ago, he retired, then he came out of retirement. He started out riding buckin’ horses, well, then he destroyed his shoulder and started fighting bulls and rodeo clowning, and I decided I was like hey, maybe I’ll pick it up and try it out. I did that for four years on a family rodeo circuit level then got offered a scholarship to come to school for it.
Just happened to be a cowboy school, it’s like horseshoeing, western arts, silver-smithing buckles, spurs, its a really cool school.”
What will you use your new truck for?
“Probably shoeing horses, it’ll be a good rig to shoe horses in. Travel, take it to rodeos and show it off. College rodeos for sure, I’ve got another year left of college rodeo.
I’d imagine people are gonna’ want me to drive it in their arena and stuff, so it’ll be pretty cool.
Sleeping in the back of it!” says AJ.
AJ Kee, 2019 NIRA RAM Truck Winner standing in the bed of the truck for a lap around the arena at the CNFR.
Congratulations AJ, for being this years NIRA RAM Truck Winner, enjoy your truck!
Mike Kolich also know as ‘Dr. Derriere’ is on the Ford global seating team. With a Ph.D. in industrial and manufacturing systems with an emphasis on seat comfort, is setting out to cure butt blues with a new design for 2020 Ford Explorer seats.
‘Dr. Derriere’ and Ford team are working on ultimate on-the-road seat comfort for the all-new 2020 Explorer to ‘cradle your bottom’.
“Road trips can be largely defined by how comfortable people are – and when you get down to it, how comfortable our seats allow them to be,” said Kolich.
“As engineers, we’re thrilled with this new seat, but really it’s what our customers say and think that matters.”
2020 Ford Explorer Seats
Ford says, the V-shape design gives torso support for a wider variety of body shapes and sizes.
The ventilation feature (in equipped models) draws warm air from the body instead of pushing cool air through the seat as current systems do.
2020 Ford Explorer seats. Photo: Ford.
Top of the line trim level (ST and Platinum) Ford Explorers get the multicontour massage seats with unique massaging patterns.
The 2020 Ford Explorer seats have a new design to the back of the seat allowing more leg room in the second row along with a new EZ-entry function.
EZ- entry functionality allows the second row to move without having to remove child booster seats, to get to the third row.
This new seat design undergoes a battery of tests to measure up to stringent Ford shape and softness standards to meet more than 100 engineering metrics for optimal comfort, Ford says.
2020 Ford Explorer seats. Photo: Ford.
Dr. Derrier adds, “What people see in a Mustang differs from what they see in an Explorer, but it’s all built on the same architecture. That architecture is the magic, in that it allows us to maintain consistency. These seats should feel similar to the seats in any other new Ford vehicle.”
Only a few names in the motoring world can create both excitement and nostalgia. The Toyota Supra does just that. With all the anticipation and fanfare, does the 2020 Toyota Supra live up to all of it?
Here are my thoughts on the 7 seat 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited after testing it for a week, around Casper Wyoming.
America’s first-ever hybrid minivan gives us the option of three trim levels; Touring Plus, Touring L and top of the line Limited. I tested the Limited trim level.
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Review in Casper, WY
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited. Photo: L Baures.
I’ll be covering the following topics on the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid; Safety, Performance, Appearance, Comfort, Convenience, Space, Economy, and Technology.
Safety
Although there are no reports specifically on the hybrid model of the Pacifica, reports from the NHTSA show the non-hybrid versions with a 5-star overall safety rating.
Standard safety features on the Pacifica include; Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Park Sense rear park assist, rear backup camera, and vehicle tracking is optional across all trims.
An Advanced SafetyTec Group is available as a package option on Limited trim levels, which has all the latest safety technology. Forward Collision Warning-Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Lane Departure Warning-Plus, Surround View Camera, Park Sense Front and Rear Assist with stop, Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist, rain-sensing windshield wipers, Blind Spot Monitoring, Brake Assist, and auto high beam headlamp control are all in the package.
Adaptive Cruise Control makes life easy on the highway.
Adaptive Cruise Control on the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is very responsive, and it really takes some of the stress away with highway driving.
Just one of the reasons this car is the ultimate kid-friendly road trip car.
Setting the ACC on the Pacifica is easy, with steering wheel mounted buttons, set the cruise speed and distance gap, the car pretty much does the rest. It will automatically slow down if there’s a slower moving vehicle in front.
Upon changing lanes to pass a slower moving car, the ACC system will speed back up to cruising speed. Should the vehicle in front come to a complete stop, so will the Pacifica.
LaneSense with Lane Departure Warning-Plus
I’ve driven quite a few cars already with various stages of a lane keep or lane detection systems, but none like the Pacifica. The level of steering input from the Pacifica is the most I have experienced.
LaneSense with Lane Departure Warning-Plus detects clearly visible lane markings and will actively steer the vehicle back into the lane when the system is active.
It also knows if your hands aren’t on the steering wheel and will prompt a message on the driver display.
Through the touchscreen, the system is customizable, with the ability to change the sensitivity and how early or late you want the warnings/intervention from the car.
Performance
As far as performance and handling go, the Chrysler Pacifica was pleasant to drive with plenty of get-up-and-go. Being a plug-in hybrid electric, it has plenty of torque from the battery on initial start and benefits from a mid-range kick from the 3.6L V-6. Merging onto an 80mph highway is a breeze.
Suspension is on the medium to hard side by mini van standards and this makes for a well handling comfortable ride.
One of our errands in the car meant stocking up on a few 5 gal. water jugs (we live in the country with hard water). I didn’t notice any obvious change in handling or to the suspension.
Appearance
Chysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited with S Appearance Package. Photo: L Baures.
I had the S Appearance Package on the test vehicle, which is a $795 option. Adding some black badging, color matching door handles and mirrors give the Pacifica a more sporty and sleek looking exterior. Also in the package are 18″ black wheels and a roof rack.
Comfort
Another reason the Chrysler Pacifica is the ultimate kid-friendly road trip vehicle, I can’t fault the car when it comes to comfort. Fitting my diametrically opposing size family of myself at 5’3″, husband at 6’4″ and the kids is easy in the Pacifica.
Power adjustable driver and passenger seats mean options are plentiful. Driver seating positions are ideal without being too close to the steering wheel (for a short person) and vice versa for a tall person.
The lumbar support on the driver side is also power-adjustable adding plenty of support.
Hybrid models seat up to 7 people with captains chairs as standard in the 2nd row. Non-hybrid models have an 8 seat option.
Hubby can stretch his legs out in the front seat not having the seat all the way back! He even sat in the 3rd row and reclined the seat like he was royalty or something.
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited interior.
Heated and ventilated front seats are standard on the Limited trim.
If the outside temperature is above 80F the ventilated seat on the driver side will automatically turn on on startup or remote start.
This definitely makes a hug difference with dark leather (lighter interior also available).
During the winter the same happens for the heated driver side seat and steering wheel at 40F or below.
Convenience
Yet another reason the Pacifica is so child-friendly, car seats are very easy to install.
No watching the kids throw open the back door only to discover a giant door ding on the neighboring vehicle with this car. No more getting out to open the door to make sure THAT doesn’t happen and no more whining from the back seat “mommy I can’t reach the door to close it.”
With the lower ride hide of the car, my 5-year-old and fresh 3-year-old are both able to open, get in, and close the sliding doors themselves.
YES!!!
This may seem trivial, but as a parent when you’re running around the vehicle opening and closing the doors 8 times a day (each kid twice in the morning and each kid twice in the evening) this is great.
This means the kids have an extra 2 minutes in the morning to put their shoes on the right feet [insert roll eyes emoji] and I might just make it on time.
The sliding doors can also be opened remotely from the keyfob [Insert sigh of relief] or by the kick-to-open action available on some trims.
Auto Advance ‘n Return is a system new and allows the seats to move with a push of a button for easy entry to the 2nd row.
Space
3rd row Stow and go seats fold flat for extra cargo space.
Cargo area with 3rd row up is 32.3 cu.ft.
Cargo space with 3rd row down, and 2nd row not folded.
Headroom
40.1″
Headroom (sunroof)
38.4″
Legroom
41.1″
Shoulder room
63.8
Hip room
59.0″
Seat travel
8.7″
Recline angle range
58 degrees
2nd-row leg room
39.0″
3rd-row leg room
36.5″
MAX cargo room behind 1st row
140.5 cu.ft.
MAX cargo room behind 2nd row
87.5 cu.ft.
MAX cargo room behind 3rd row
32.3 cu.ft.
Lots of little cubby holes. This one happens to be a great fit for a camera!
Economy
As a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the Chrysler Pacifica has a range of over 500 miles, with 30 of those in battery only. It can achieve the equivalent of 80 MPGe in all-electric mode. Combined engine and battery, the EPA rates it at 30 mpg.
Charging
Plug type for charging is the standard J1772.
I plugged in the Pacifica at Fremont Motors level 2 charging station. There are two types of charge available. A 120V, 15 AMP Level 1 charge or high voltage 240V, 30 or 32 AMP level 2 charge.
J1772 Level 2 Charger in Casper, Wyoming.
Level 2 charging takes around 2 hours.
A level 1 charge is plugging the vehicle into a wall receptacle via a portable chord that comes with the vehicle. Charging level 1 takes approx 14 hours.
Amused by the charging lights on the dash.
Battery charging is also done via regenerative braking.
Battery charging via regenerative breaking.
Chrysler says the battery is expected to last the life of the vehicle.
Technology and Entertainment
This is where the Pacifica Hybrid really shines.
Optional on the Touring Plus and Touring L trims (for $2,395) or standard on the Limited trim is the Uconnect Theater with Wireless Streaming system.
Consisting of 10″ seatback touchscreens (on the 2nd row), the kids were entertained for hours and hours.
Whether it was watching a movie or playing the built-in games, the only time they asked for anything was to change the movie. Games/apps are playable whilst the vehicle is in motion and includes classics such as tic-tac-toe,are we there yet and the license plate game.
This package also includes; 115-volt auxiliary power outlet, wireless headphones, video remote controls, HDMI inputs, third-row USB charge port, two USB ports, Blu-ray/DVD player and a 220-amp alternator.
Standard on the Limited trim, is an 8.4″ UConnect touchscreen, with navigation, Apple Car Play/Android Auto, SiriusXM and more. It’s simple and intuitive use with apps that load quickly.
Sirius XM Travel Link Weather Map
There’s enough tech in there to keep the front seat passenger occupied.
There’s a Pacifica Wave!
We passed a Velvet Red new-ish looking Chrysler Pacifica, and right as I said to myself, “I wonder if there’s a Pacifica wave…”, as I eagerly awaited to see if they’d wave first. I got, not a little wave, but a giant wave! It’s official, there IS a Pacifica wave.
Overall thoughts on the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited.
A Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited is ultimately a very kid-friendly vehicle. Not only is it easy for cars seats, with 5.1″ of ground clearance, it’s easy to get in and out of and keeps the kids entertained.
My only complaint on the Pacifica is the rotary shifter dial is in fairly close proximity to the volume dial and I almost reached for the wrong one a couple of times.
Perfect for a road trip with the kids, it’s easy to drive especially with Adaptive Cruise Control, it’s comfortable and being a hybrid has good fuel economy.
For winter in this hybrid minivan, I’d recommend a good seat of tires for the rocky mountain area.
When the kids turn 16 they can drive us around while we sit in the back, watch movies and play games!
It would be rude not to take a picture at the Soccer fields. #SoccerMomCar. Photo: L Baures.
All opinions are my own. If you have any further questions on the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, contact your preferred Chrysler dealership or if you have a question for me, drop a comment below.
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