For many teenagers, sixteen is an age marked by driver’s licenses, first jobs, and the growing excitement of adulthood. But for some, like our brand new 620 CKRM Chuckwagon driver, Tanner Hawreluik, sixteen isn’t just about getting behind the wheel of a car—it’s about grabbing the reins and thundering into the full-sized chuckwagons for the very first time at the EPCCA. Stepping up to the big leagues of chuckwagon racing is no ordinary milestone. Our young racer has already proven his skill and courage on the chariot track and in the fast-paced world of mini chuckwagons, but this weekend, everything changes. The horses are bigger, the stakes are higher, and the crowd’s roar is louder than ever before.
Imagine the nerves as he pulls up to the infield, the scent of fresh hay and leather mixing with adrenaline. The familiar faces of friends and family look on, but now, so do the legends of the sport—the seasoned drivers who have circled these tracks for decades. The pressure is real, but so is the excitement. For the first time, he’s no longer a kid learning the ropes; he’s a competitor, ready to carve his name into the rich tradition of chuckwagon racing. The preparation for his debut has been intense. Training sessions have focused not just on physical skill, but on mental toughness. Handling a team of powerful horses at high speed demands split-second decision-making and nerves of steel. Every maneuver counts; every second is hard-fought. He’s spent countless hours learning from mentors, listening to their stories, and absorbing their advice—lessons that now echo in his mind as he tightens his grip on the reins.
There’s a special kind of camaraderie in the chuckwagon community, and this weekend, he will feel it more than ever. For Tanner, the EPCCA chuckwagon track is more than just a race—it’s a rite of passage, a test of character, and a lifelong memory in the making. Here’s to the next generation of chuckwagon champions, racing full speed into the future! Good luck this weekend to Tanner Hawreluik, racing for the first time in the 620 CKRM Chuckwagon in Pilot Butte!
Comments