National Chuckwagon Race Championship

National Chuckwagon Race Championship

David E. Klutho/SI

The National Championship Chuckwagon Race is held every Labor Day weekend in Clinton, Arkansas. There are six classes of wagon races using mules or horses, pulling different types of wagons. As one of the largest equestrian gatherings in the country, it draws over 5000 horses and mules. Many of these animals are used as trackside seating for some of the 20,000 plus spectators at the event.

David E. Klutho/SI

Team "Time Machine" races in the Classic Wagon Division.

David E. Klutho/SI

Fans from the cliff watch as the parade of Wagons pass below before the races.

David E. Klutho/SI

The empty wagon is pulled down the track without a driver, representing racers, vendors and fans that have passed away.

David E. Klutho/SI

Team "Who's You're Daddy" of the Classic Wagon race team during the first heat.

David E. Klutho/SI

Wagons cross the finish line during the Oklahoma Land Rush.

David E. Klutho/SI

Sometimes the outrider falls of his horse which results in a "no time" for that teams run.

David E. Klutho/SI

Races run no matter how hard its raining. Cowboys don't care. Classic Wagon team "Circle Y Farms" driver Rusty Young and cook Jeremy Linville fight through the inclimate weather.

David E. Klutho/SI

Courtney Burke of team "Say Win" finishes the Oklahoma Land Rush Division race on 3 wheels.

David E. Klutho/SI

Team "B & B Farms" goes flying through the dip and speeds towards the first turn in the Classic Wagon Division.

David E. Klutho/SI

Driver Buddy Prestidge and cook Kellie Morton of Team "Who's Ya Daddy" Race their Classic Wagon in the Classic Wagon Division. These wagons have to weigh at least 1000 lbs in order to qualify.

David E. Klutho/SI

Team USA leads the field in the Classic Wagon races into the first turn.

David E. Klutho/SI

In the Oklahoma Land Rush division, wagons must weigh at least 300 lbs and the ponies can be no more than 92" in total height.

David E. Klutho/SI

The National Chuckwagon Race Championship is one of the largest equestrian events in the Country. Over 5,000 horses, mules and ponies were at the event this year. This provided trackside seating for many of spectators.

David E. Klutho/SI

Team "Rockin H Land and Cattle" from Calhoun, MO. Dustin Humphrey (Driver) and Stan Rippey (Cook) lead after the first two days of competition.

David E. Klutho/SI

4 Up Mule racing takes up a lot more race track than the other types of Chuckwagon racing.

David E. Klutho/SI

5 time National Champion team "Kowbell" from Clinton, AR. Driver Mike Cullum and cook Steve Howard held 2nd place overall after two days of racing.

David E. Klutho/SI

Team "Bar H Ranch and Rodeo" finish a race in the Buckboard Division. Driver Brent Henderson and cook Megan Waters are from Pleasant Plains, AR.

David E. Klutho/SI

Tater Wilbanks and Rickey Crabtrey, former Buckboard Champion from team "Triple J", follow behind their outrider (left side). The outrider must finish in front of the wagon for the team to qualify in the Buckboard division.

David E. Klutho/SI

Driver John Jones and cook Don Jones from team "J-S" follow alongside outrider Justin Boyd.

David E. Klutho/SI

Team "Bar 4WII" races down the straight away in front of the crowd.

David E. Klutho/SI

"Sues Pawn Express" Rider Steven Mcelroy and his cook Jeremy Sumler race in the four up Mule Division. Mules can be positioned 4 across or 2 up 2 back as displayed here.

David E. Klutho/SI

First time Buckboard Champions team "2 5 Ranch" after winning the buckboard championship. (near) Driver Adam Jones and cook Jared Desalvo sit beside outrider Derrick Barger. The Championship was decided in a run-off because there needs to be more than one second difference between the first and second place times.

David E. Klutho/SI

Team "Fast Cattle Co." from Rosebud, AR race in the Classic Wagon Division.

David E. Klutho/SI

Classic Wagon teams vie for position in front of the crowd. Over 20,000 people were in attendance throughout the weekend.

David E. Klutho/SI

Matt Wagner wears his equestrian helmet over his western hat as his teammate and cook Billy Carter hides behind during the Buckboard Division.

David E. Klutho/SI

Team "Golden Rose" finishes just ahead of team "Wheel and Deal" during the Oklahoma Land Rush division. This Division is a sprint race to the finish.

David E. Klutho/SI

Dustin Humphrey drives team "Rockin H Land & Cattle" as cook Stan Rippey oversees. Their team held the lead for the Classic Wagon Division after 2 days of racing.

David E. Klutho/SI

Team "Crossroads Express" nudges team "Outlaw Gang" and team "Double J" at the finish line as the crowd looks on during the Oklahoma Land Rush.

David E. Klutho/SI

Team "Bar M" driver Terry Hoyle encourages his team to run faster.

David E. Klutho/SI

Team "Dizzy-D" speeds up before the first turn in the Classic Wagon Division.

David E. Klutho/SI

Team "County Line Bunch" doesn't let the rain effect their run during the Classic Wagon Division.

David E. Klutho/SI

The 2014 Classic Wagon Champion "Kowbell" during its final run on Sunday.

David E. Klutho/SI

2014 Classic National Champions team "Kowbell" was the local favorite from Clinton, AR. Driver Mike Cullum has participated in all 29 years of the Championships since he was 17 years old.

David E. Klutho/SI

Championship buckles were awarded in each division. The buckles were custom made for the event by Monsoon Silver in Surprise, AZ.