Suspended chuckwagon driver supported by injured driver's wife

A chuckwagon driver suspended after a Calgary Stampede race ended in a crash that injured another driver and killed three horses said Tuesday he made no mistakes during the competition.

Kelly Sutherland's story, told to CBC News, also was supported by Cindy Helmig,the wife of injured driver Tyler Helmig, in a statement.

Stampede officials had penalized driver Ray Mitsuing following the race Saturday, and then suspended Sutherland,alleging his unsafe driving contributed to the wreck.

But Sutherland insisted there was no contact between his rig and any others.

"I did not make a mistake in that race. I've made many mistakes in my time, but that wasn't one of them in that race," he told CBC News. "Clearly, the tape shows I am continuing in my lane …."

Cindy Helmig said she watched the judges' tapes of the race and believes Sutherland was not responsible for the crash.

Stampede officials say they are still investigating.

Tyler Helmigremained in hospital Tuesday, waiting for surgery on his hip and elbow.