AUGUST 14, 2019
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Chuckwagon & Chariot Races bring in the Heat
Emily Mailhot Reporter – Vegreville News Advertiser
Nearing the close of another season of chuckwagon and chariot races, the drivers felt more than the pressure of putting on a good show for the Vegreville audience. With three races left after the Vegreville Country Fair, the time was now, more than ever, to secure a spot at the top of the leaderboard. Throughout the evenings, a growing crowd of visitors to the fairgrounds made their way to the grandstand to cheer on their favourite chuckwagon, chariot, and even mini-wagon teams. The mini wagons for children ages four and up (with adult help if needed,) saw just as many nearmisses and sweet victories as the full-size version of the races on a smaller scale with miniature horses and appropriately-sized wagons. Day one of the chariots, Marty Maxwell took 1st place with a time of 64:02. He was followed neckand-neck with Chester Blatz (475) with a time of 65:33, Adam Waldner in 3rd with 65:53, Martina Hubl in 4th with 65:63, and Chester Blatz (46) with 65:78. On day two, Marty Maxwell took first with a time of 66:57, followed by Luis Johner in the same heat with 66:81, Kevin Desjarlais in 3rd with 66:99, Dwayne Dubuc in 4th with 67:29, and Chester Blatz (475) in 5th with a time of 67:37. Overall, the weekend averages placed Marty Maxwell in 1st with a total of 131.49, followed by Chester Blatz (475) 132.70 in second and a close shave between Martina Hubl with 133.24, Kevin Desjarlais with 133.52, and Emily Wright with 133.96 pulling up the tail. Overall, the standings for chariots are now:
1. Chester Blatz (475) 1081 2. Louis Johner (353) 1003 3. Chester Blatz (55) 959 4. Dwayne Dubuc (361) 908 5. Chester Blatz (46) 835.5 Day one of the chuck wagons saw victories for teams from all over the standings. After first-place times of 66.71 on Thursday night and 66.71 on Friday, Kevin Desjarlais (148) took home the trophy for Vegreville Country Fair races in 2019 with a weekend average of 131.50. Desjarlais was followed by Louis Johner (271) 67.79, Keith Wood (495) 68.98, Cody Leach (161) 67.25, and Neil Salmond (506) 67.17 on Thursday night, and Neil Salmond (506) 67.17, Loius Johner (271) 67.79, Ed Mokokis (494) 68.16, and Wade Salmond (556) 68.54 on Friday. Overall standings in the Chuckwagons now sit at 1. Louis Johner 271 1011 2. Brett Dubuc 45 854 3. Mike Cooke 790 797.5 4. Garnet Bengtson 399 789 5. Dwayne Dubuc 66 761.5
