A Cremona based chuckwagon driver is the newest Battle of the Foothills champion.
Chad Fike climbed from 16th overall in the aggregate standings into the Championship Final after his day-money run Saturday night. On Sunday, Fike raced against Jason Glass, Luke Tournier and Chance Bensmiller. Bensmiller started from barrel one, Glass from barrel two, Fike from barrel three and Tournier from barrel four. Fike crossed the finish line more than two wagon lengths ahead of Bensmiller to claim the championship.
Despite the magnitude of the victory, Fike said afterward the moment had yet to fully register.
“The horses worked unbelievable,” he said.
He added the race unfolded differently than he had anticipated.
“Those are two tough guys to turn, Jason and Chance,” Fike said. “We were just happy to get to the front end and that’s what we needed.”
As he got closer to the finish line Fike said he began urging his horses on, believing the title was within reach.
“I started talking to my horses in about the third turn. I think we can do this, guys. Just keep going.”
The victory was even more meaningful with family in attendance, including his grandfather and former chuckwagon driver, Ron David.
“It’s always special having all your family with you on the road,” Fike said. “That’s the best part about this sport, being able to have your family here and share your accomplishments. They’re there for the highs and they’re there for the lows.”
“The beauty of the sport is having family around and being able to share this with them.”
Fike’s strong finish over the final two days moved him up in the standings and ended a chapter that included one of the biggest comebacks of the 2026 season.
With files from Kassandra Patterson
