2021 Ponoka Stampede Wild West Chuckwagon Champions
Vold, Jones & Vold Auction Co. Ltd.
L-R: Outrider Ethan Motowylo, Driver Vern Nolin, Outrider Brendan Nolin,
Ponoka Stampede Association President Bruce Harbin Presenting
Photo By Billy Melville
In a highly anticipated $25,000.00 Championship final heat at the Ponoka Stampede Wild West Chuckwagon Championship, Vern Nolin, Dustin Gorst, Evan Salmond and Kirk Sutherland would run for the championship at one of chuckwagon racing’s most prestigious events on the WPCA Pro. On one of the most exciting race nights of the year, Vern Nolin – driving the McCaw’s Drilling & Blasting Ltd. outfit, and along with outriders Ethan Motowylo and Brendan Nolin collected the first-place winner’s cheque and the 2021 Ponoka Stampede Wild West Chuckwagon Championship. It was the second Ponoka Championship for Vern Nolin in the past 3 seasons who was also the Ponoka Aggregate Winner for the third consecutive season.
Nolin captured the Ponoka crown with a penalty free run of 1:14.44 from barrel position number 1. Kirk Sutherland placed second in the heat from barrel position number 3, 40 one-hundredths of a second behind champion Vern Nolin, followed by Evan Salmond from barrel position 2, Dustin Gorst in fourth place from barrel position 4. It’s the second consecutive win for Nolin who also captured the 2021 Battle of the Rockies two weeks ago.
As far as day results go, Kurt Bensmiller’s Irvine’s Tack & Western Wear outfit, grabbed his second consecutive day money after posting the fast time of the week with a 1:12.47 from barrel number four in the first heat. Chanse Vigen placed second, Chance Bensmiller placing third, with Kris Molle and Vern Nolin filling out the top five on the final night of the season.
Earlier in the evening, Obrey Motowylo was paraded in front of a huge crowd as he won his first career World Chuckwagon Championship by 23 points Kurt Bensmiller. Layne MacGillivray was third, Kris Molle was fourth and Jordie Fike placed fifth. Hayden Motowylo captured his first career World Outriding title as well, making the first time a father and son captured respective World Titles in the same year.
Congratulations to the 2021 World Champions, driver Obrey Motowylo and outrider Hayden Motowylo, and many thanks to all the corporate partners, broadcast partners, support staff and chuckwagon fans all along the 2021 WPCA Pro Tour. Enjoy a safe and prosperous off-season, and we will see you all in 2022.
Billy Melville
