Laboucane leads Battle of the North chuckwagon aggregate after day two
The reigning Calgary Stampede champion posted the fastest heat of the night in Dawson Creek, tightening the race for a top-four qualifying spot.
Reigning Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby champion Jamie Laboucane posted the fastest run of Thursday night at the Battle of the North in Dawson Creek, finishing in 1:12.80. That time was 0.83 seconds quicker than second-place Chanse Vigen of Grande Prairie, with World Standings leader Obrey Motowylo taking third. Grande Prairie's Dayton Sutherland and Jason Glass rounded out the top five.
Laboucane now leads the two-day aggregate standings with a combined time of 2:28.99. Vigen sits second, just 0.40 seconds back, followed by Motowylo in third and Day 1 money winner Kurt Bensmiller holding the fourth and final qualifying spot.
Two nights of preliminary competition remain. Whoever leads the aggregate after Saturday's heats will earn the Connie Patterson Memorial Award along with a one-year lease on a 2026 GMC truck from Banister GM Dawson Creek. The top four drivers overall will then advance to Sunday's $30,000 Championship Final Heat to determine the 2026 Battle of the North champion.
Beyond the weekend title, the stakes extend further: the top 12 drivers in the WPCA World Standings after Dawson Creek will move on to the playoff round in Rocky Mountain House, making every heat significant for drivers chasing a spot in the World Finals.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.