Joel Harris kept the momentum rolling in Round 7 of the 2025 NFR, stopping the clock at 7.5 to earn his second go-round win in as many nights aboard Daddys Shiner Cat “Peso” and adding $36,668 to an already massive week.
Just 24 hours removed from his 6.8-second run in Round 6, Harris backed into the box with all that fresh confidence and delivered again, pushing his NFR earnings to $137,210 after seven rounds. His 2025 NFR sheet now includes: second in Round 1, sixth in Round 2, second in Round 5, and wins in Rounds 6 and 7—all aboard the iconic Peso, owned by Logan Bird.
Inside the press room, Harris was still trying to wrap his head around stacking back-to-back wins at the Thomas & Mack.
“It’s so surreal,” Harris said. “Each time you win one of these rounds, it gets more and more real. You appreciate it more. I know that this one could very well be my last, there are no promises so I just wanted to really enjoy it.”
The Draw and the Run
Haven Meged had been 7.4 on the calf in Round 4, and Harris knew he’d drawn one of the better chances in the pen of great calves.
“I loved my calf,” Harris said. “I probably laid off the barrier too much, but Peso made it up for me and caught up just fast enough.”
From there, he kept the run clean and deliberate.
“When I hit the barrier line, I was a little further back than I thought,” Harris said. “As soon as my foot hit the ground, I just went as fast as I could. Peso cleaned it up so good for me, and the calf was standing there waiting.”
Peso Factor
Harris again credited Peso for giving him the kind of confidence a guy can build a week around.
“Nothing he does takes away from your ability to make a good run,” Harris said. “Everything is helping you. I know I’m going to catch up when I need to, and he’s going to give me the right start and the right go.”
Family in the Stands
For the second night in a row, the big screen found his mom and Harris couldn’t help but smile about it.
“She’s the best mom in the world,” Harris said. “People think she’s going wild but that’s just normal.”
He pointed to his entire family as the backbone behind his 2025 NFR.
“My dad has been the biggest reason for our success, and then my brother, my mom, my wife, my younger siblings,” Harris said. “I have the best people surrounding me.”
The Week’s Total and the Plan
With $137,210 won through Round 7, Harris joked that the money won’t sit long once he’s home.
“Trust me, there are things to lose it on—calves, horses, vet bills,” Harris laughed. “I’m just going to look at the money in my account when I get home, decide, and then never look at it again.”
Celebration plans? Nothing flashy.
“I’m going to sleep so good,” Harris laughed. “Get some food, take that trip to South Point, then head straight to bed.”