2023 World Chuckwagon Champions
(L-R): Shellie Scott, Todd Oakley, Derek Kent, Brie Vigen, Driver Chanse Vigen, D.J. DeSutter
Century Downs Racetrack and Casino General Manager Jackie Morrison Presenting
Photo By Shellie Scott
| Rank | Driver | Playoff Total |
| 1 | Layne MacGillivray | 51 |
| 2 | Jamie Laboucane * | 44 |
| 3 | Chanse Vigen | 44 |
| 4 | Chad Fike | 41 |
| 5 | Kris Molle | 36 |
| 6 | Ross Knight | 32 |
| 7 | Wade Salmond | 29 |
| 8 | Kurt Bensmiller | 28 |
| 9 | Evan Salmond | 27 |
| 10 | Jason Glass | 23 |
| 11 | Obrey Motowylo | 19 |
| 12 | Rae Croteau Jr. | 8 |
It was one of the most exciting and nerve wracking evenings that chuckwagon racing has seen over the last century, Night 4 of the Century Downs World Chuckwagon Finals was everything the fans expected and more. There was a lot on the line, and the excitement did not disappoint.
When it all played out, Layne MacGillivray, Jamie Laboucane, Chanse Vigen and Chad Fike survived the Century Downs “Winners’ Zone” Championship Playoff round and will comprise the Century Downs “Winners’ Zone” Championship Dash where they will be racing for $75,000.00 cash and the prestige of being recognized as the Century Downs “Winners’ Zone” Champion – at one of chuckwagon racing’s most prestigious events.
Layne MacGillivray finished in first place in the Century Downs “Winners’ Zone” Championship Playoff round after collecting 51 points. Jamie Laboucane and Chanse Vigen tied for second place overall with 44 points, but Jamie Laboucane will win the tie breaker based on having the best 4 day aggregate time among the two tied drivers. Chad Fike grabbed the final qualifying spot with 40 points, with Defending champion Kris Molle just missing out by 5 points and finishing fifth overall. Ross Knight, Wade Salmond, Kurt Bensmiller, Evan Salmond, Jason Glass, Obrey Motowylo and Rae Croteau Jr. were the other drivers who also qualified for the playoff round.
2023 Century Downs Racetrack and Casino Aggregate Champions
Spray Lakes Sawmills Outfit
(L-R): Outriders Nolan Cameron and Brendan Nolin, Trey MacGillivray,
Loreena MacGillivray, Driver Layne MacGillivray, Darby Rae Crouch Presenting,
Century Downs Racetrack and Casino General Manager Jackie Morrison and Josh Murphy Presenting
Photo By Shellie Scott
The first title at the Century Downs World Chuckwagon Finals has been handed out as Layne MacGillivray, driving the Spray Lakes Sawmills outfit, and along with outriders Nolan Cameran and Brendan Nolin won the Century Downs Racetrack and Casino Aggregate Championship.
MacGillivray and crew captured the Aggregate portion of the Century Downs World Chuckwagon Finals after posting the best 4-day aggregate time of 5:25.10. That put him 59 one-hundredths of a second faster than Jamie Laboucane, with Cody Ridsdale, Chanse Vigen and Kirk Sutherland filling out the top five in the overall aggregate standings.
In one of the closest races in history, the World Chuckwagon Championship went to Chanse Vigen for the first time in his career. Vigen, a five-time World Champion Outrider, won his first World Championship as a chuckwagon driver by just 3 points over Jamie Laboucane in one of the most thrilling final nights in the 100 year history of chuckwagon racing. Evan Salmond placed third overall, with four-time World Champion Jason Glass in fourth and 2022 World Champion Layne MacGillivray placing fifth overall.
Ethan Motowylo won a hotly contested battle for the World Outriding Championship over three-time and defending World Champion Outrider Rory Gervais. It is the first World Outriding Championship for Ethan Motowylo.
In the season long Elite Team Series, Team Strathmore Stampede, consisting of Chad Fike, Kris Molle, Jason Glass and Chance Bensmiller won the inaugural Elite Team Series Championship. Team Strathmore Stampede and Lammle’s Western Wear finished the new team series in first place with 2721.5 championship points, and claimed the championship by 81.5 points over Team Century Downs represented by Dustin Gorst, Layne MacGillivray, Jordie Fike and Chanse Vigen. Team Battle of the Rockies and Henry’s Western Wear & Saddlery placed third, followed by Team Ponoka Stampede and the Jones Boys Saddlery & Western Wear and finally Team Grande Prairie Stompede and Keddie’s Tack and Western Wear.
On the night, Kirk Sutherland and his Pacsetter Equipment rig broke the track record for the fourth consecutive night after posting a run of 1:19.26 from barrel number 1 in the 2nd heat. Evan Magee placed second, with Jamie Laboucane, Chad Fike and Mitch Sutherland making out the five fastest times on the evening.
The final day of the final stop of the 2023 WPCA Pro Tour at the Century Downs World Chuckwagon Finals can be heard live on Sunday afternoon on Real Country 910am, starting at 4:00pm Eastern, 3:00pm Central and 2:00pm Mountain Time. As well, race fans can watch the races live on the watch.wpca.comstreaming platform.
Billy Melville
