Chuckwagon racing 101: What you need to know before heading to races at Calgary Stampede

Calgary Herald

03-07-2025

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The winning driver in that final heat will take home $50,000 and a new GMC truck, while the second- and third-place finishers will pocket $20,000 and $10,000 respectively.
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Day money is also up for grabs each evening with the reinsman clocking the fastest time of the night earning $6,000. The second fastest driver each night takes home $5,200, third gets $4,600, fourth gets $4,200, while fifth snags $3,900.
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False start or creating a false start — 1 second;
Wagon starting ahead of the barrel — 1 second;
Wagon failing to follow the proper figure-eight pattern — 5 seconds;
Wagon starting ahead of the klaxon (starting horn) — 2 seconds minimum;
Wagon knocking over a barrel — 5 seconds for each barrel;
Wagon missing a barrel — 10 seconds each barrel;
Wagon failing to stop before the barrel — 1 second.
Stove not loaded in rack before wagon completes top barrel turn — 2 seconds (if the stove is knocked or thrown out at any time after it's been loaded in the rack, no penalty will be assessed)
Wagon interference (based on severity of offence) — 1 second minimum
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Stove off ground — 1 second;
Outrider finishing ahead of lead team — 2 seconds;
Outrider knocking over barrel — 2 seconds each barrel;
Late outrider — 1 second;
Outrider missing barrel – 2 seconds each barrel;
Outrider failing to finish – 2 seconds.
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The chuckwagon races open the Calgary Stampede Evening Show each night from July 4 to 13, starting at 7:30 p.m. at GMC Stadium on the Stampede grounds.
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Arrive at the grounds early, so you can enjoy myriad other Stampede entertainment offerings, including rides and exhibits, before the chucks start.
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Tickets are available in advance at this link. Tickets bought in advance also give holders entrance to the Stampede grounds. Same-day tickets are available outside the Grandstand on the grounds. Standing-room tickets can also be purchased on the grounds. Tip: If you buy infield tickets, you'll be able to watch the chuckwagon races, but you can't see the rest of the evening show from those seats.
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After the chuckwagon races are completed, a newer event takes centre stage at the Calgary Stampede Evening Show. The relay races will be held after the chucks each night, featuring top Indigenous Relay Racing teams. This high-speed sport sees one rider take three laps around the track, with the rider switching onto a different horse for each of the laps. The sport is done without saddles, adding to the skill and thrill of the races, in which a number of competitors race at the same time. Team members who aren't on the horse help the rider make the awe-inspiring switches.
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Following the chucks and relay races, the night's entertainment switches to the Grandstand Show, featuring the Young Canadians and this year's headliner, Carolyn Dawn Johnson. And, of course, after that show, it's time for the fireworks.