National Championship Chuckwagon Race Draws Thousands to Clinton, Arkansas
Thousands of people and their horses gathered in Clinton, Arkansas, this Labor Day weekend for the National Championship Chuckwagon Race held at Dan and Peggy Eoff’s ranch. The event, which takes place annually, has grown to become the largest outdoor chuckwagon race in the United States, attracting spectators from all across the country.
In a nod to the rich history of chuckwagon racing, the sport is said to have originated from the cattle trails of the 1800s, where cowhands would collect their pay after a long drive and then race into town. The last one in would have to buy the first round of drinks for all.
The National Championship Chuckwagon Race was first staged in 1986 as a Labor Day party for a few friends but quickly grew into a massive event, with over 20,000 attendees watching 135 teams participate in the event’s twentieth anniversary. Today, the event stretches across the entire week before Labor Day, including concerts, trail rides, and camping activities.
The chuckwagon race itself has few rules and is quite the spectacle. Teams consist of three members: the driver, the cook, and the outrider. At the start of each race, the cook and outrider begin on the ground. Once the gun is fired, the outrider loads the tent into the wagon and must pass the wagon before it crosses the finish line. The cook, driver, tent, and stove must all be in the wagon when it crosses the line to achieve a qualified time.
Besides the chuckwagon race, the event features other thrilling activities like mule races, bronc fanning, and the Snowy River Race, which includes two downhill runs and a plunge into the South Fork of the Little Red River. Spectators sit along the bluffs overlooking the track, often with lawn chairs or blankets.
This year’s event includes live concerts by world-class country artists, with Lorrie Morgan and Lee Roy Parnell performing on August 28, Jake Worthington on August 29, Tyler Halverson on August 30, and Jake Hooker on August 31. Admission to the race is per day, with a discounted rate of on Sunday for adults. Children aged 6-12 can enter at half price.
- Event Schedule: Includes live concerts, arena events, and trail rides.
- Entertainment: Feature performances by country artists.
- Admission Info: At the gate only, with prices varying by age and day.
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National Championship Chuckwagon Race
