Demonstrating resilience and experience, fourth-generation wagon driver Chance Bensmiller engineered a late-season turnaround in 2025. For the second time in his career, he captured the Battle of the North, recording 12 top-ten runs, including a day-money run at Dawson Creek and six additional top-five runs. The win marked his third career victory on the WPCA Pro Tour.
Chance began his career on the CPCA circuit, earning Top Rookie Driver honours in 2003. He later spent seven seasons on the WPCA Pro Tour, where he was again named Top Rookie Driver in 2006 and Most Improved Driver in 2008. He has also had a horse named to the WPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence and served as an outrider on his father Buddy’s 2003 Calgary Stampede championship outfit. Returning to the CPCA from 2012 to 2019, he added five show championships.
The son of chuckwagon legend Buddy Bensmiller, Chance comes from a deep family lineage in the sport. His brothers Kurt and Dave are also drivers, and he is the brother-in-law of Vern Nolin and uncle to Cruise Bensmiller. In the off-season, he works as a salesman for MGM Ford Lincoln in Red Deer and lives in Red Deer County with his three children — Quinn, Ace, and Swayze.
