Ray Adamson is beginning to make the 2009 edition of the North American Pony Chuckwagon championships a one-man show.
The Camrose veteran, who leads this year’s tour standings, recorded the fastest time for the third straight day Friday, driving his Alexander First Nations sponsored rig to a meet low one minute 16.59 second time to sit at 3:51.49 overall.
Six-time champion Keith Wood of Saddle Lake isn’t about to let Adamson out of his sight, but he still slipped further back, finishing second to his rival in the 14th and final heat in a time of 1:17.13.
That left his Uncle Ben’s RV wagon in second place at 3:52.95.
Marvin Hubl of Alhambra, who also runs in the final heat, occupies third place with the Allan Dale Industries rig at 3:55.78 after recording a 1:18.59 time.
Chris Spreen of Whitecourt and Albert Whiskeyjack, who’s driving the Albert Whiskeyjack Cherry Hill Auctions wagon, continue to switch positions in the standings.
The pair switched for the second straight day with Spreen and the Trojan Safety Services wagon moving into fourth place at 3:56.76 after a running time of 1:28.83 while Whiskeyjack is fifth at 3:57.43 after a time of 1:19.84.
Gary Salmond of Edson moved up two places with his Border Paving rig, slipping into sixth place at 3:58.68 after a 1:19.06 clocking while Dale Young of Olds, who’s driving the Carmen Currah rig, sits in seventh at 3:59.01. Currah just got out of the hospital following an operation.
Young, driving the Bettenson’s and Sons Sand and Gravel outfit had a running time of 1:20.09.
Eighth place is held down by Ken Madden of Saddle Lake and the Randy’s Oilfield Services wagon. He has a time of 3:59.70 after a 1:20.38 Friday.
Rene Salmond of Niton Junction and the Pidhirney’s Trucking rig is ninth at 3:59.91 after running at 1:19.17.
Jim Lang of Killam moved into the top 10 with his Kellough Enterprises wagon sitting with a time of 4:00.22 after a clocking of 1:19.65 Friday.
Action continues tonight and Sunday at 6:30 p.m.