2022 Strathmore Stampede Champions
Versatile Energy Services Ltd. Outfit
(L-R): Maria Kooistra of Strathmore Motor Products Presenting, Kent Stormoen of Versatile Energy Services Ltd., Outrider Rory Gervais, Hayze Bensmiller with Hank Bensmiller, Driver Kurt Bensmiller, Outrider Hayden Motowylo, Strathmore Mayor Pat Fule Presenting
Photo By Billy Melville
It was an outstanding weekend as the Strathmore Stampede wrapped up on a hot and sunny Monday afternoon on a good racetrack. Capacity crowds and great chuckwagon racing was the order for the entire event, and Kurt Bensmiller, driving the Versatile Energy Services Outfit, and along with outriders Rory Gervais and Hayden Motowylo, who captured the 2022 Strathmore Stampede Championship. It’s the first win on the season for Kurt Bensmiller, and the fourth time Bensmiller has won the Strathmore Stampede whose previous victories came in 2012, 2018 and 2019.
Bensmiller was crowned the Strathmore Stampede Champion after posting the best 4-day aggregate time of 5:04.41. That gave him a large 3.01 second margin of victory over current world points leader and 2022 Richard Cosgrave Memorial winner Layne MacGillivray. Chanse Vigen grabbed third, Vern Nolin was fourth and Codey McCurrach rounded out the top five overall for the four-day show.
On the day, from barrel number 4 in the 4th heat, Codey McCurrach posted the fast time of the afternoon with a 1:15.39 and won the day money by 52 one-hundreds of a second over Wade Salmond. Chanse Vigen placed third, Vern Nolin was fourth, with Layne MacGillivray making out the top five fastest wagons on the day.
The WPCA Pro Tour will now have a one week break and will resume at the Battle of the North in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Racing starts on Wednesday August 10, 2022 and runs through to Sunday, August 14, 2022. Catch all the live action on WPCA Radio at 9:00pm Eastern, 8:00pm Central, and 7:00pm Mountain time on Real Country 910.
Billy Melville
