Swingles edge out competition

As auctioneer Cody Waldrip rattled off bids and the horses raced down the track, hundreds trudged through the mud and the wind to witness the 34th annual Donald D. Erickson Memorial Chariot Races this past weekend.

The event began Friday night at the Hotel Wolf with the first round of the Calcutta Auction. Auctioning continued track side between each of Saturday’s and Sunday’s 10 races. Proceeds from the auctions went to benefit the Saratoga Lions Club.

Several races featured incredibly close photo finishes. Saturday’s last race included Sheldon Meritt driving the HLH Builders team, edging out James Olguin by 1/25th of a second. Meritt had another close race on Sunday, losing to Mike Johnson by 1/100th of a second.

With 21 teams, only one could be crowned champion.

Gary Swingle didn’t think his team would pull off the win this weekend, but Duces Wild won for the third year in a row at the 34th Donald E. Erickson Chariot Races.

“It’s been a great meet,” Swingle said after accepting the traveling trophy for his teams first place win. “Ain’t any better people than chariot people,” Swingle said.

Swingle, who lives in Commerce City, Colo., has been coming to the chariot races in Saratoga for the better part of 20 years didn’t think he would beat the Afton team. “That team has been pretty fast this year,” Swingle said as he patted Jim Stoker on the back.

Swingle also won the Dave Pennock Good Times Trophy. The Interstate Trophy, which is a traveling trophy, is awarded to the driver with the best combined times throughout the weekend.

Swingle took first place in the first division, with Scott Barber and “Pines Bar” taking first place in the second division.

First place in the third division was Olguin driving “Sage Brush Motel #2” team and Clancy Henderson taking first place in the fourth division with “Me and Roy”.

Winning the Norm Epler Memorial Trophy was Lara Skelley, driving “Pretty Pennies”.

Other notable performances include Mike Johnson and Sheldon Meritt who both won the most individual races throughout the weekend, finishing with three wins apiece.