Tom Glass, a monumental figure in Western Canadian sports history, has died after suffering a stroke at 77.
Glass “was the face of chuckwagon racing” during his long and storied career, the World Professional Chuckwagon Association said on social media Saturday.
“One of the greatest competitors in the sport’s history, Glass compiled a career record second to none,” the association said.
That long list of accolades includes six Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby championships (four as driver, two as outrider), three World Champion Chuckwagon Driver titles and two Stampede Aggregate wins.
After dominating the world of chuckwagon racing in the 1980s and 1990s, Glass retired in 1998. He continued to have an impact on the sport as a commentator for the Calgary Stampede’s Rangeland Derby, and he did stunt work for major productions like Interstellar, Need for Speed and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.
In recognition of his achievements and impact on the sport of chuckwagon racing, Glass was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
Retired chuckwagon driver Mark Sutherland called it “a sad day in the chuckwagon world” in his own social media post.
“Tom Glass was a hero of mine when I was young and a mentor to me my whole adult life,” Sutherland said.
“I had such pride when Tom would come over to me during my racing career and mention a barrel turn I had or a horse of mine he watched,” he said. “It meant something to me and he always took the time to let me know if he thought I was doing something right.”
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In a statement sent to CBC News, the Calgary Stampede said “Tom will be remembered for his sportsmanship and for the care, dedication and spirit he brought to mentoring other drivers and training horses.”
The Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby called Glass “a champion, a horseman, a mentor, and a man whose name will forever be woven into the fabric of chuckwagon racing” in a social media post.
“He was the embodiment of grit, determination, sportsmanship, and family tradition,” the group said.
“From carrying forward the incredible legacy of the Glass family dynasty to building a remarkable legacy of his own, Tom’s impact on our sport cannot be measured solely by championships and records.”
His son, four-time World Champion Chuckwagon Driver Jason Glass, carries on his father’s legacy as one of the most successful chuckwagon drivers in history.
