EDMONTON, AB – The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series begins its 9th consecutive year of racing action this weekend. “It’s go time,” says NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “drivers and race teams have been extremely anxious to get the season started.” For the very first time, Bridge County Raceway in Lethbridge, Alberta is hosting the Lucas Oil Slick Mist NPP Season Opener. “We’ve got two incredible nights of racing (Saturday and Sunday) in Lethbridge,” adds Craig, “it’s a wide, fast race track. Drivers are definitely going to take advantage of it this weekend.” Defending season champion Brian McCaughan knows a target is on his back for 2009. “It’s expected,” says the Okotoks, Alberta driver, “but we are ready to defend the title.”

McCaughan clinched the 2008 NPP Series Championship on the final night of the season in Edmonton. “We had an amazing season. We had many things go our way and had very few off nights. I hope this season will be the same.” Last season McCaughan had two Feature wins and finished in the top-10 a total of sixteen times. Two of his top 10 finishes came in Lethbridge (6th – May 31 / 5th – July19). “I would love to start off this season with a win.” 2007 NPP Series Champion Jason Beaulieu has won three Features at Bridge County Raceway. The Campbell River BC driver won both Lethbridge Features last season.

“It’s a tough track to win at. Starting position is very important, so you have to do well in the Heats and the Dash races.” Two-time NPP Series Champion (2001 / 2006) Dwight Kennedy has two Feature wins at Bridge County Raceway. “We’ve always run strong here in Lethbridge,” says the driver of the #81 Lucas Oil Dodge, “we might have had three wins but we lost a transmission while leading a race two years ago.”

The Edson Alberta driver, who finished second in the 2008 NPP points chase had two top-10 finishes at Bridge County Raceway (5th / 8th) last season.

>SATURDAY, MAY 16th
>SUNDAY, MAY 17th
Gates at 5:00pm/Racing at 7:00pm (both nights)

Race teams from the NPP Late Model Series and the IMCA Modified Series battle for valuable 2009 Season points Saturday and Sunday night.

SPECTATOR ADMISSION
Adults – $15.00
Student/Senior – $12.00
Children (age 6 – 12) – $12.00
5 and under – FREE