Chanse Vigen heading out of the infield in the Dash at Strathmore Stampede 2024. Photo courtesy WPCA/Shellie Scott.

By Erika Rolling

Chuckwagons

Vigen wins his first Strathmore Stampede

Aug 6, 2024 | 7:27 AM

Grande Prairie native Chanse Vigen will be heading back up north to home territory on a hot note following a big win at the Strathmore Stampede.

He, along with outriders Rory Armstrong and Ethan Motowylo, captured the Strathmore crown with a penalty free-run of 1:11.66 in the Championship Final Heat on Monday afternoon. It was the first time since 2011 Strathmore has had a final heat at their show.

Vigen also gives big credit for the win to his outriders.

“Rory Armstrong’s been with me for a number of years, he’s first call on stove and he’s been clean, knock-on-wood, all summer and Ethan Motowylo probably the best lead man on the grounds in my opinion. I’ve been saying that and pumping his tires all season.”

Vigen has now won two weekends in a row on the WPCA circuit, and third of the chuckwagon racing season. His first was in Medicine Hat, then High River, and now Strathmore crowns are under his belt in 2024.

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He feels even though some may say “he’s on a roll”, he isn’t in the same headspace.

“The point standings are still extremely tight,like it’s nice to pick up a couple wins, but at the same time there’s still half a dozen guys within striking reach and we’ve seen a lot of lead changes this year.”

Vigen notes there is no room for error at this point.

“Every night theres a number of guys with a lot of pressure on them to run fast, but run clean at the same time. So, we gotta keep our foot on the gas, there’s three important shows left and we just gotta keep everything going the way it’s been.”

The start of the season wasn’t ideal for Vigen, getting a no time for the first race in the Grande Prairie Stompede opener.

“We dug ourselves pretty big hole at the beginning of the season, so it was a lot of playing catch up. But we’ve ironed things out a little bit and I think we have a few outfits figured out. This time of year some things can change right, it’s a long season.”

He’s hopeful he can keep the continuity heading into Dawson Creek this week. Vigen believes a large percentage of the crowd will be from his hometown.

“I think that three-quarters of the crowd is from Grande Prairie and there’s a good break inbetween Grande Prairie and Dawson Creek (shows), so by the time we come back up north everybody’s excited to see us again.”

“I love going up north. The drive I don’t like, I don’t think anybody loves this trip, but once we’re there it’s a lot of fun.”

The Battle of the North goes Wednesday, August 7 to Sunday, August 11, at the Dawson Creek Exhibition and Stampede.