2023 Ponoka Stampede Champions
Wentworth Oilfield Services Ltd. Outfit
(L-R): Miss Rodeo Canada Mackenzie Skeels Presenting, Outrider Rory Armstrong, Brie Vigen, Driver Chanse Vigen,
Hi Line Motorsports Ltd.’s Jesse Johnson Presenting, Ponoka Stampede Association President Jason Cline and
Miss Ponoka Stampede Kaylee Shantz Presenting, Outrider Ethan Motowylo, D.J DeSutter
Photo By Billy Melville
In a highly anticipated Hi Line Motorsports $75,000.00 Tommy Dorchester Championship final heat, Chanse Vigen, Evan Salmond, Layne MacGillivray and Kris Molle would run for the championship at one of chuckwagon racing’s most prestigious events on the WPCA Pro Tour – the Ponoka Stampede. On one of the most exciting race nights of the year, Chanse Vigen – driving the Wentworth Oilfield Services Ltd. outfit, and along with outriders Rory Armstrong and Ethan Motowylo broke a 61 year-old record en route to sweeping the 2023 Ponoka Stampede Championship.
Vigen captured his first career Ponoka Stampede crown with a run of 1:15.05 from barrel position number 4 in the Championship Final Heat number 9. 2022 Calgary Stampede Champion Kris Molle was second from barrel position number 3, 1.21 seconds behind the champion Chanse Vigen Reigning World Champion Layne MacGillivray placed third from barrel position 3, while Evan Salmond, who tipped a barrel, placed fourth from barrel position number 1. It was an undisputed victory for Vigen who also captured the Ponoka Stampede aggregate title for having the best combined time after the first four days.
On the day, Chanse Vigen’s championship run was not only the best on the night, it was his sixth consecutive first place run in six consecutive nights, breaking the previous record of five consecutive first place runs by Dale Flett at the Calgary Stampede in 1962. Ironically, Dale Flett’s streak of first place run was ended on the final night of the 1962 Calgary Stampede by Chanse Vigen’s grandfather Ralph Vigen. Kris Molle placed second, with Layne MacGillivray, Mark Sutherland and Darcy Flad filling out the top five on the night. The Championship Final Heat produced three of the top five times on the Ponoka Stampede’s final night.
The WPCA Pro Tour will now take a break for the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby from July 7-16, 2023.
Billy Melville
