Luke Tournier – Posts Blistering Fast Time at Battle of the Foothills
Photo By Shellie Scott
It was another perfect night in High River as Day 2 of the 2026 Battle of the Foothills was contested under sunny skies and a scorching 30°C. An enthusiastic capacity crowd packed the grandstands and was treated to another outstanding night of chuckwagon racing. When the final heat crossed the finish line, it was two-time High River champion Luke Tournier, driving the Pidherney’s outfit, who captured the Kirk’s Trail Tire Wheels on Fire Fast Time of the Night with a blistering run of 1:13.35.
Starting from barrel position number four in the sixth heat of the evening, Tournier delivered a spectacular performance to claim the day’s top prize by a commanding 1.10-second margin over Wade Salmond, who finished second. Chance Bensmiller posted the third-fastest time of the night, while 2023 High River champion Jamie Laboucane finished fourth. For the second consecutive night, fifth place ended in a tie, this time between Jason Glass and Chad Fike.
Consistent performances through the opening two nights have moved Chance Bensmiller into the overall aggregate lead with a combined time of 2:28.76. Opening night winner Jason Glass sits second overall, just six one-hundredths of a second behind Bensmiller. Fresh off his Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby championship, Jamie Laboucane holds down third place overall, with Chance Flad occupying the fourth and final qualifying position for Sunday’s Championship Final Heat. Wade Salmond is fifth overall, just 22 one-hundredths of a second out of a qualifying spot.
The top four drivers on the aggregate following Saturday night’s final day of preliminary competition will advance to Sunday’s Battle of the Foothills Championship Final Heat, where the winner will be crowned the 2026 Battle of the Foothills Champion.
Day 3 of the Battle of the Foothills can be heard live Saturday night beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET, 8:00 p.m. CT, and 7:00 p.m. MT on 96.5 The Ranch. Fans can also listen via streaming through the WPCA website (wpca.com), the iHeartRadio website and app, or the Radioplayer Canada website and app
Billy Melville
