World Professional Standings
2012 - 10th
2011 - 19th
2010 - 10th
2009 - 9th
2008 - 17th
2007 - 10th
2006 - 18th/19th
2005 - 13th
2004 - 21st
2003 - 7th
Major Awards And Victories
- 2001: Ponoka Stampede Champion Outrider, WPCA Most Improved Driver
- 2002: Orville Strandquist Award (Calgary Stampede Top Rookie Driver)
- 2007: Battle of the North, WPCA Clean Drive Award
- 2011: Capital EX Chuckwagon Derby
- 2012: Strathmore Heritage Days Stampede
Personal Information
One of chuckwagon racing's brightest young stars, 2012 saw Kurt qualify for the Grande Prairie Stompede's winner–take–all championship final heat and he won the third event of his career at the Strathmore Heritage Days Stampede. He was a finalist for the Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby’s winner–take–all championship final heat, won the Capital Ex Chuckwagon Derby in Edmonton, and set a track record at the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede in 2011. It is the only time that three generations of the same family have qualified for the GMC Rangeland Derby’s winner–take–all final joining his father Buddy Bensmiller and grandfathers Allen Smith and Alan Bensmiller who were all multi–time finalists. He posted 10 top ten runs, including one day money run at the Strathmore Heritage Days Stampedeand 2 other runs that placed in the top five. Kurt won the WPCA Clean Drive Award in 2007, was the recipient of the WPCA's Most Improved Chuckwagon Outfit Award in 2001, and won the Calgary Stampede's Orville Strandquist Award for Top Rookie Driver in 2002. Kurt is the youngest man in WPCA history to qualify two wagons into a single winner–take–all championship final heat at the 2002 Battle of the North, B.C. Kurt is a third generation chuckwagon driver whose brothers Dave and Chance are chuckwagon drivers as well. A two sport athlete, Kurt was part of the Bentley Generals that won the 2009 Allan Cup – symbolic of Canada’s senior hockey champions, and participated in EnCana’s WPCA/4-H Mentorship Opportunity in 2007 and 2008. Kurt and his wife Ashly have two daughters - Harlee and Hayze, and make their home in Dewberry, Alberta.
Bensmiller Racing Website: www.bensmillerracing.com
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