64th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

When: Thursday through Dec. 11.

Where: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas.

What: Prize money of almost $6 million will be awarded over 10 days to determine the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association champions in seven events. The top 15 in each event during the regular season qualify with 120 competitors in Las Vegas.

The top six each night earn money, with $17,512.02 going to the winner, down to $2,824.52 for sixth. At the end of 10 rounds, the top eight in the average (highest total points in riding events, lowest accumulated time in timed events) are paid, with $44,909.86 for first, $4,236.78 for eighth.

Viewing: In addition to webcast on ESPN3 and radio on ProRodeoLive.com, ESPN2 or ESPN Classic is televising each go-round with three replays prior to the next go-round. The rodeo starts 15 minutes before the broadcast, at 6:45 p.m. (Pacific) except on Saturday, Sunday and the last performance Dec. 11, which starts at 5:45.

Star watch: Trevor Brazile is all but a lock to win his record eighth all-around title. The only competitor to qualify in two events (tie-down roping and team roping), has won $296,411 this year, $158,950 clear of second.

Local watch: Ryan Gray of Cheney is at his fifth straight NFR and enters as the bareback riding leader. Gray, who will wear No. 3, has earned $159,024, for a lead of about $22,500. Last year he only placed in three rounds and was ninth in the average and fell from third to sixth in the standings. In 2008 he won more than $87,000 at the Finals by finishing second in the average (846 points).

Tyson Durfey, of Colbert, is in seventh place in tie-down roping with $89,174, with Brazile leading at $142,736. Durfey, who will wear No. 36, is at his fourth NFR. In the last two he won more than $170,000.

Debi Davis of Nine Mile Falls, Wash., is the assistant secretary.

Big Bend and Flying Five rodeo companies, owned by Don Hutsell of Ritzville and Sonny Riley of Pomeroy, have eight saddle broncs at the NFR: Feature Attraction, No Dice, Kool Toddy, Broken Saddles, Wind Chimes, Spring Blues, Spring Planting and Sundance.