Chanse Vigen – Fastest on Night Three at the Battle of the Rockies
Photo By Shellie Scott
2026 Kirk’s Trail Tire Series Playoff Points
| Rank | Driver | Playoff Point Total |
| 1 | Chanse Vigen | 30 |
| 2 | Obrey Motowylo | 29 |
| 3 | Jamie Laboucane | 27 |
| 4 | Jason Glass | 25 |
| 5 | Luke Tournier | 23 |
| 6 | Kurt Bensmiller | 18 |
| 7 | Evan Salmond | 17 |
| 8 | Mitch Sutherland | 15 |
| 9 | Logan Gorst | 13 |
| 10 | Cruise Bensmiller | 12 |
| 11 | Dustin Gorst | 9 |
| 12 | Rae Croteau Jr. | 2 |
It was a beautiful night for chuckwagon racing as night three of the World Chuckwagon Finals & Battle of the Rockies took place at North Saskatchewan River Park in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. Under clear skies, a warm 20°C temperature and very good racetrack conditions, the drivers delivered another outstanding evening of racing with the championship races tightening heading into the final night.
Despite the challenges presented by some of the toughest competitors in the sport, Chanse Vigen has moved to the top of the Kirk’s Trail Tire Series Playoff standings with 30 playoff points after three runs. Vigen holds a one-point advantage over World Points leader Obrey Motowylo, who sits second. Jamie Laboucane is third, Jason Glass is fourth, and Luke Tournier sits just two points outside the top four. The top four drivers in the playoff standings following Sunday night’s run will advance to the Kirk’s Trail Tire Series Championship Final Heat on Sunday afternoon. They will race for $28,000 in cash, a one-year lease on a GMC truck, and the distinction of being crowned the Kirk’s Trail Tire Series Champion.
Vigen and his Terrafirma Resources outfit also captured the Kirk’s Trail Tire Wheels On Fire Fast Time of the Night. Starting from barrel number four in heat nine, Vigen posted a 1:13.43, finishing 29 one-hundredths of a second ahead of Laboucane, who placed second on the night. Kurt Bensmiller, Luke Tournier and Preston Faithful rounded out the top five fastest times.
In the Battle of the Rockies Championship, the day-money run moved Vigen into the overall aggregate lead. His three-run combined time of 3:44.77 gives him a 1.58-second advantage over Motowylo. Laboucane sits third overall, with Wade Salmond and Tournier completing the top five after three runs. The driver posting the fastest four-day aggregate time following Saturday’s run will be crowned the 2026 Battle of the Rockies Champion.
Meanwhile, Motowylo is now just one run away from capturing his second career World Chuckwagon Championship. Motowylo leads the World Standings with 1,186.5 points, 71 points ahead of four-time World Champion Jason Glass. Vigen, Laboucane and Evan Salmond currently occupy the remaining spots in the top five, with one run remaining to determine the 2026 World Champion Chuckwagon Driver.
Night 4 of the World Chuckwagon Finals & Battle of the Rockies can be heard live on Saturday night on WPCA Radio beginning at 8:45 p.m. ET, 7:45 p.m. CT, 6:45 p.m. MT, and 5:45 p.m. PT on 96.5 The Ranch. Sunday’s races begin at 3:45 p.m. ET, 2:45 p.m. CT, 1:45 p.m. MT, and 12:45 p.m. PT. Fans can also listen through the WPCA website, iHeartRadio, and Radioplayer Canada. Live video coverage will be available through the WPCA livestream.
Billy Melville
