Calgary Herald

Still chasing big chuckwagon prize

Mitsuing’s competitio­n getting younger in 35th appearance at Calgary Stampede

- WES GILBERTSON wgilbertso­n@postmedia.com twitter.com/WesGilbert­son

A guy couldn’t ask for a much better intro at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

“The first year that I came here to Calgary would have been 1984,” said Ray Mitsuing, one of the most well-respected men in the chuckwagon business. “And you know what? That very first year, I remember I hit two day-moneys back-to-back here. That was really something. At that time, the money wasn’t as big, but that was still quite an accomplish­ment for me to come out as a rookie and win two day-moneys here.

“And then I think the following year, I think we made the top four even. So Calgary has been good to me over the years. I’ve always run good in Calgary, but … ”

Yes, there’s a but.

“I haven’t won the major prize, the one everyone wants to go after,” Mitsuing said. “I’ve won a lot of championsh­ips over the 30-plus years that I’ve been wagon racing. This is the ultimate one I’ve been going after. It would be a big thing for me to pull one off before I do retire.”

As he nears the mandatory retirement age of 65, perhaps this could be his year. (Next year will be his last crack.)

Through three days of action at the GMC Rangeland Derby, Mitsuing is right in the thick of it.

Driving on behalf of Heart Lake First Nation, he finished Sunday ’s spin in 1:12.80, not too shabby for a guy taking his turn on Barrel 4. A seven-time winner of the Canadian Profession­al Chuckwagon Associatio­n (CPCA) championsh­ip, the 64-year-old sits fourth in the aggregate with a tally of 3:37:26.

Mitsuing is making his 35th consecutiv­e appearance at the Calgary Stampede, an incredible streak for the former chief of the Loon Lake First Nation in Saskatchew­an.

Back in 1984, when he burst on scene with that pair of day-money rumbles, Buddy Bensmiller’s middle boy was likely still in diapers. He had just turned one.

Now, Kurt Bensmiller (Versatile Energy Services) is the cowboy everybody is chasing. The defending Rangeland Derby champ won Sunday’s show with a run of 1:12:00 and tops the overall aggregate at 3:35:61.

“I might be the oldest driver here now. And at one time, I think I was the youngest,” Mitsuing said. “Times have changed. A lot of good drivers have passed on now, which I’ve raced against. And now I’m racing against the younger generation. Like my boys, Dale and Devin, they’re both racing now. And all these guys that were little kids, like Chance Bensmiller and Kurt Bensmiller … I was racing against their dad, and now I’m racing against them.” Proving he can still keep up, too. It wouldn’t be wise to bet against Kurt Bensmiller, but maybe, just maybe, this could be the year Mitsuing finally fills that void on his mantle.

“That’s what I come looking for — that Stanley Cup,” Mitsuing said with a nod. “Every year, I shoot for that. I’ve been close so many times, but I haven’t quite got there yet.” And what if he had? Would he still be spending every summer in the wagon-box?

“I’m pretty sure I would be, because what else would a person be doing, you know?” Mitsuing replied. “I’ve done this so long. I don’t know any different.”

AROUND THE BARRELS

Chanse Vigen’s father owes him dinner. Chanse has been subbing for his under-the-weather dad, Mike, and piloted his United Rentals rig to the second-fastest time on Night 3, completing his lap in 1:12:04. Chanse hasn’t had as much success driving on his own behalf, crunching a barrel in three straight shows … Vern Nolin (Dentons Canada LLP) picked up Sunday’s third-place payday at 1:12:27.

 ?? MIKE DREW ?? Ray Mitsuing, left, comes around the bend during Heat 4 on Sunday at the Calgary Stampede, where he’s been racing since 1984.
MIKE DREW Ray Mitsuing, left, comes around the bend during Heat 4 on Sunday at the Calgary Stampede, where he’s been racing since 1984.
 ?? MIKE DREW ?? Ray Mitsuing, seen here at the finish line in Heat 4 on Sunday, says he’s won a lot of championsh­ips in 30-plus years of wagon racing but the big one — the Stampede — is the one he really wants.
MIKE DREW Ray Mitsuing, seen here at the finish line in Heat 4 on Sunday, says he’s won a lot of championsh­ips in 30-plus years of wagon racing but the big one — the Stampede — is the one he really wants.

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