And they’rrre off – in High River..While nightly chuckwagon racing has been cancelled at this year’s Calgary Stampede, they are set to rumble down the backstretch in High River for two weekends in July..The chucks were cancelled at the Stampede, which is undergoing massive changes this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The nightly Grandstand show has also been cancelled and the kick-off parade will be a closed-door affair on the grounds, shown on Global TV..But The World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) has announced the 2021 Battle of the Foothills will be held at the High River Agricultural Society Grounds on July 16-18 and July 23-25..“Over the last 18 months the sport of chuckwagon racing has been in a battle for survival and some of the WPCA drivers have rallied around their sport to try and promote it by building a show for fans and sponsors to enjoy!” the WPCA said on their website..“As of June 14, 2021 over $150,000 in prize money has already been confirmed for the drivers to compete for. However, with fans and sponsors continuing to ask how they can help support the event, these monies are expected to reach record levels for the WPCA races in High River.”.The top eight drivers after four days of racing will advance to Semi Final Saturday (July 24) and compete in the last two heats, said the WPCA..Of those eight drivers, the four with the fastest time will advance to the Battle of the Foothills Dash for Cash on Championship Sunday. Drivers who don’t qualify for the Battle of the Foothills Championship Race will be competing for added prize money on Championship Sunday with every heat being a Dash for Cash..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
