11/6/2025
Wild West Shootout
Racing Meets Country-Rock: Pryor Baird to Perform Post-Race Concert on Opening Night of Wild West Shootout
California native and “The Voice” star to perform Jan. 10 as part of Pit Boss Grills Fan Activities
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Nov. 6, 2025) — Country-rock Nashville recording artist and The Voice alum Pryor Baird will help kick off the 2026 Rio Grande Waste Services Wild West Shootout presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts with a live performance on Saturday, Jan. 10 at FK Rod Ends Central Arizona Raceway presented by Low Voltage Solutions, Inc.
The concert, presented by Pit Boss Grills, will take place on the stage behind the grandstands immediately following the first night of racing, and will be free to all.
Originally from Santa Maria, Calif., Baird now resides in Nashville and has quickly earned a name in country music circles with powerful vocals, blues-tinged guitar work, and national TV and radio exposure. He broke out on NBC’s The Voice with a four-chair turn and a Top 6 finish on Team Blake, and has since performed at the Grand Ole Opry, sung the National Anthem at the Daytona 500, and released a growing list of fan-favorite singles including “Chasin’ Shadows,” “The One Left Behind,” and “Beauty in the Broken.” His album cover artwork has even appeared on Corey LaJoie’s NASCAR Cup Series car.
Baird’s performance at the Wild West Shootout is more than just another concert stop — it’s a full-circle moment for Wild West Shootout co-promoter Chris Kearns, who first met Baird long before the artist’s rise to national recognition. The two crossed paths decades ago when a teenage Baird walked into Kearns’s glass shop in Santa Maria, Calif., for help with his old truck.
“Twenty-five years ago, a teenage kid walked into my glass shop to get work done on his ’51 Chevy truck,” said Wild West Shootout co-promoter Chris Kearns. “When I gave him a ride home, I’ll never forget that he had to grab his guitar. Years later, I saw him on The Voice and said, ‘Hey, I know that guy.’ That kid turned out to be a hell of a performer, and I’m honored and excited to have him at the Wild West Shootout.”
Making it easier for Pryor’s Central Coast fans to attend, American Airlines now offers direct flights from Santa Maria to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport — just 50 minutes from the track — twice daily.
The 2026 Wild West Shootout runs Jan. 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, and 18, featuring six nights of racing for Super Late Models, Modifieds, and X-Mods. A loaded roster of Super Late Model talent is already committed, including defending Wild West Shootout champion and current World of Outlaws points leader Bobby Pierce, Brandon Sheppard, Ricky Thornton Jr., Hudson O’Neal, Tyler Erb, Ethan Dotson, Brandon Overton, Billy Moyer, Mike Marlar, Ryan Gustin, Garrett Alberson, and many more.
Pryor’s performance is part of a full slate of Pit Boss Grills Fan Experience events during the Wild West Shootout’s 20th anniversary celebration, including:
- Pryor Baird Concert – Jan. 10
- Barrel Racing Exhibitions – Jan. 11, 16, 17
- Bailey Schweitzer Memorial Golf Tournament – Jan. 12
- After Practice Pit Party – Jan. 13
- Almost Famous Tent Party – Jan. 16
- Cornhole Tournament with Beaver Stripes – Jan. 17
- Clayton Anderson Concert – Jan. 17
Best known for Wood Pellet grills, Pit Boss also has Vertical Smokers, Portables, Griddles, Charcoal, Combos, Gas and Fire Pits! https://www.pitboss-grills.com/
Reserved six-day and single-day tickets are available now at www.WildWestShootout.net
The Rio Grande Waste Services Wild West Shootout presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts is made possible by Rio Grande Waste Services, O’Reilly Auto Parts, FK Rod Ends, Low Voltage Solutions, Malvern Bank, Black Diamond Race Cars, Hoker Trucking, ShockerHitch.com, Penske Racing Shocks, Merry’s Home Furnishings, Shaw Trucking, Schaeffer Oil, AM-1 Roofing, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Border Tire, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Swift Springs, Dirt Pro Grading & Padwork, Contractors & Developers (C&D) Bonding, Whisler Construction, Shocks by Hammer, Midwest Sheet Metal, Speedway Motors, Day Motor Sports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels, Pro Power Engines, Beaver Stripes, Arizona Differential, Gorsuch Performance Solutions, Don Frank Floors, Toste Construction, Winning Edge Carburetion, The Joie of Seating, Needmore Speedway, DirtDraft.com, and FloRacing.
Submitted By: Joshua Joiner