What is the average winner of the NFR determined by?

The winner of the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is primarily determined by the best time or score achieved in their respective events. This performance-based criterion is crucial in rodeo competitions, as it reflects the competitors' skills and capabilities in their specialized events, such as bull riding, barrel racing, or roping.

In rodeo, each event has specific scoring or timing systems that quantitatively assess a rider's performance. For instance, in timed events, the fastest time recorded in a performance will dictate the winner. In judged events, competitors are scored based on their performance against a set standard. Thus, the best time or highest score encapsulates the essence of competitive rodeo and is the clear determinant of the average winner at the NFR.

Other options, such as the number of events entered, popularity, crowd votes, or average earnings, do not directly influence the outcome of who wins at the NFR. While financial earnings can play a part in ranking and qualification for the finals, it is the performance in the arena that ultimately determines the winner.