Racing in Marvin’s memory

Dust stirred between a quarter mile of parked vehicles outside Glendo over the weekend, as the top chariot racers from around Wyoming converged on the small community for the annual Wyoming State Chariot Races Saturday and Sunday.

Although the races were important, the main focus of the weekend was the memorial of Glenrock chariot racing legend Marvin Heyd.

After folks removed their cowboy hats for the singing of the National Anthem Sunday afternoon, Heyd’s wife Carol was picked up in the chariot of longtime racer Roy Morgan Jr., as she was taken the length of the track to spread his ashes. She says it was her husband’s wish to have his final resting place be at the Glendo quarter mile race track. Heyd passed away Dec. 9, 2019.

Two races on Sunday were dedicated to the memory of the late Heyd.

It wasn’t too long after auctioneer Layne Weber kicked off the calcutta for the opening race the dust started flying as high-speed horse teams raced down the track.

James Olguin and his team, “Just Off Brothers” won Division 1 with a total time of 44.74 seconds.

As for Division 2, Clay Giles and his pair of horses for team “JWH Dad’s Bar” took the top slot with a time of 45. 58 seconds. Division 3 was led by Lara Skelley, who crossed the line with a combined total of 47.30 seconds, with Dave Brant winning Division 4 with a time of 61.60 seconds.

In the outrider race, which concluded the racing action Sunday, Clay Moore finished in first place overall.

The Skelley’s Chance team owned by Lara Skelley won the third race and received a memorial mirror. 

The Just Off Brothers were driven by James Olguin in the sixth race on Sunday and received a memorial jacket.

The Glendo Wild Bunch 4-H club held a 50/50 raffle and awarded Dale Andreen the winnings and he graciously gave the 4-H club a generous donation back, according to event organizer Elaine Daly.

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Wyoming State Chariot results

Division 1

1st - Just Off Brothers driver James Olguin 44.74 seconds

2nd - Sagebrush Motel driver Roy Morgan 44.95 seconds

3rd - Newman Equine driver Mike Newman

4th - HLH Nelson Qtr Horses driver Tom Nelson

Division 2

1st - JWH Dad’s Bar  driver Clay Giles 45.58 seconds

2nd - Stoker & Giles driver Jenny Giles 46.33 seconds

3rd - T & M Jack’s Brats driver Jenny Barber 46.36 seconds

4th - Horsecreek Express driver John Williams 46.58 seconds

Division 3

1st - Pretty Pennies driver Lara Skelley 47.30 seconds

2nd - Equine Addition driver Stretch Austin 47.44 seconds

3rd - Skelley’s Chance driver Lara Skelley 47.50 seconds

Division 4

1st - H Bar #2 driver Dave Brant 61.33 seconds

2nd - H Bar #1 driver Brian Skelley 61.60 seconds