Bensmiller blazes to chuckwagon win

Times Contributors

 

Kurt Bensmiller went into Monday’s race in fifth place, but a run of 1:14.15 was enough to vault him and his Eco Fuel Savers outfit with outriders Shawn Calf Robe and Wayne Wright into first, with a four-day aggregate time of 5:01.39 to win the 2012 Strathmore Stampede Chuckwagon Championship.

“I knew if I could just get the front end, nobody would be able to catch me in the heat,” said Bensmiller. “I had to outrun Jerry (Bremner) by a second and hope for help with the rest of it, so it worked out. I’ve struggled over the years, I won in ’07 and took quite a leave of absence until 2011 before I won. I’ve qualified for Calgary every year and that’s a big deal, but you make your money of you’re winning.

“Hopefully this (win) is a trend (of what’s to come) the next few years.”

Although he got off to a bit of a slow start, with 10th and 18th place finishes respectively on the first two nights, Bensmiller finished strong, winning day money on Sunday with a time of 1:14.66 and then taking second place on Monday.

“I always wanted to win Strathmore. It always meant a lot, because it was the tour (final) and my dad’s won it in years past,” said Bensmiller. “It has always been a big deal to win some of the same (competitions) he’s won. Nobody ever complains when they get a buckle.”

Kirk Sutherland posted the fastest time of the entire meet with a 1:13.63 in Monday’s race, which means he has won day money in eight of his last 14 runs. He also won day money on the opening night of the meet with a time of 1:14.81, but ended up in fourth for the four-day show with an aggregate time of 5:01.79.

Rookie driver Jodie Fike had a career best showing for the meet, coming in behind Bensmiller for second overall with a total time of 5:01.54. 

Jerry Bremner rounded out the top four, placing third with a total time of 5:01.76 over the four races.

The leader going into Monday’s final race was Rick Fraser who had a lead of 52 one-hundredths of a second over Jordie Fike, but a run of 1:17.83 (which included a two second penalty for wagon interference), dropped him to eighth over all. 

The weather co-operated for the entire weekend, providing drivers and horses with ideal track conditions and fans with an outstanding set of races to enjoy.

The Strathmore win helped put Bensmiller into a tie for second place in the world standings with Luke Tournier at 780 points. Jason Glass leads the worlds with a commanding 867 points, while Kirk Sutherland is in fourth at 769 points.

“I’ve always enjoyed coming here,” said Bensmiller. “We always seem to pull in a week or two weeks before the event and hang out here. Everyone enjoys it and it’s a great town to be in.”

The next stop on the World Professional Chuckwagon Association GMC Pro Tour is Dawson Creek, B.C. for the Battle of the North running Aug. 8-12, followed by the season ending Battle of the Rockies in Rocky Mountain House Aug. 15-19.