It'll be a bittersweet year for chuckwagon fans as it's the final time around the figure eight for longtime driver Kelly Sutherland this WPCA season.

High River driver Jordie Fike says growing up watching him and then racing against him was a career highlight.

"I have huge respect for that man. And that I got to race against him was something really special. Because he and my grandfather (Ron David), raced against each other for a lot of years. You know, Kelly's put a huge name on this sport and he turned it into a business for us."

Fike says as a youngster following the circuit with his grandfather he and lot's of the other kids would put Sutherland's trademark feather in their hats while riding on their bikes.

He says Sutherland could go for another 20 years, but because of the Calgary Stampede's mandatory retirement age of 65 Sutherland will walk away from the sport as a 12 time Stampede Rangeland Derby champion, and a 12 time winner as the WPCA's Championship Driver, along with dozens of other show's he's win in his 50 year career.

Sutherland will make his final High River appearance June 22nd to the 25th for Guy Weadick Days.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com