It was a beautiful day Saturday as nearly 3,000 people packed the stands at North Saskatchewan River Park for the World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) finals.

“We were very happy with the turnout of fans,” said Rocky Chuckwagon Association president Lillian Hay, who says attendees also enjoyed new pre-show attractions, including mini chucks Thursday and Friday and steer riding Friday and Saturday.

Wagon driver Obrey Motowylo, who calls Rocky Mountain House home, was crowned World Chuckwagon Champion for the second time in his career. Motowylo secured the title by a 76-point margin over rival Jason Glass.

Chanse Vigen finished third overall, followed by Jamie Laboucane in fourth and Evan Salmond in fifth.

Having a “hometown boy” capture the WPCA championship was another highlight in an already exciting week for Rocky, said Hay.

For Battle of the Rockies, Vigen captured the weekend championship. Driving the Terrafirma Resources outfit with outriders Tyler DeSutter and Rory Gervais, Vigen posted the fastest four-day aggregate time of 4:57.91.

Vigen finished 2.18 seconds ahead of Motowylo in the aggregate standings. Laboucane, Chad Fike and Glass rounded out the top five.

$28,000 Dash for Cash final heat

The weekend wrapped up Monday with the championship final heat.

The top four drivers — Vigen, Motowylo, Laboucane and Glass — entered the Dash For Cash with $28,000, a one-year lease on a GMC truck and the Kirk’s Trail Tire Series Championship on the line.

When the wagons crossed the finish line for the final time in 2026, it was Glass, driving the Birchcliff Energy Ltd. outfit with outriders Trey MacGillivray and Bodie Glass, who captured the season championship.

Glass also set a new track record at the Rocky Mountain House racetrack with a time of 1:11.20 from barrel position No. 2.

His winning time was 1.05 seconds faster than the previous track record he established at the same racetrack on the final day of the 2025 season.

Laboucane crossed the finish line first with a time of 1:10.93 from barrel position No. 3. However, he was assessed a two-second penalty for creating a false start, dropping him behind Glass in the final standings.

Battle of the Rockies champion Vigen finished third from barrel position No. 4, while newly crowned World Champion Motowylo placed fourth from barrel position No. 1.

Successful weekend overall

Hay says both the WPCA and local organizers were very pleased with how Rocky Mountain House handled hosting the finals again this year.

Even though the weather was a little rainy to start the week, the sun eventually came out, and so did the crowds.

While the association will now take a short break, Hay says planning will begin soon for the 2027 Battle of the Rockies.

They plan to build on the success of 2026, she says, especially given the positive reception of pre-show attractions such as steer riding, wild horse racing and mini chucks.

Entering the off-season, the next major event on the WPCA calendar is the annual Awards Banquet and Gala, which is set for October 2026.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Tickets can be purchased by contacting diane.ashley@wpca.com.