EDMONTON, AB – The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series wraps up its 9th season of racing action this Saturday night at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway. For the second year in a row the championship will be decided on the final race night of the year. NPP Series announcer Gord Craig indicates that there is only one guarantee this weekend. “A British Columbia driver will be number one in the Alberta based racing series in 2009.” Darrell Midgley (Sidney, BC) and Jason Beaulieu (Campbell River, BC) sit one and two in the NPP Series championship points chase. “Darrell and Jason have swapped the point lead a couple of times this season. It is going to be a fight to the finish to see who finishes the year as champion.” Jason Beaulieu has four Feature wins this season compared to Darrell Midgley’s two victories. However it is Midgley who has had the more consistent race season in his Lucas Oil #14 Dodge.

“We’ve had a pretty good run this year,” says Midgley analyzing his 154 point cushion over Beaulieu heading into the final race, “we’ve completed every lap of every race. We had only one major mechanical problem (broken axle) and we still managed a top 10 finish.” The veteran pavement racer, who finished 7th in the NPP Series points chase last season (5th in 2007, 3rd in 2006), has never won a championship on the dirt. “With one race to go, I’ve said it a few times. Just race smart, race hard and don’t mess up.” Veteran pavement racer Jason Beaulieu won his first season championship on the dirt in a NPP Late Model back in 2007. “This is an extremely tough Series. I’ve run in many different racing Series in the past and there are no guarantees here.” Beaulieu finished fourth in the NPP Series points chase last season. “I’m looking at the final race of the season like I do all the races. Go out and have fun and try to win it. That’s all you can do. I know Darrell and his team have worked very hard this season and I wish them well at the final race.”

While many will be watching Midgley and Beaulieu battle for top spot, a showdown is set for drivers third through sixth in the NPP Championship point’s chase. Just 68 points separates Dwight Kennedy (3rd in points), Trevor Emond (4th), Mike Tom (5th), and Kevin Clark (6th).

Two-time NPP Series Champion Dwight Kennedy has just a 30 point lead over three-time NPP Series champion Trevor Emond. Ironically, 30 points also separates Mike Tom and Kevin Clark.

2009 LUCAS SLICK MIST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP
CASTROL RACEWAY – Edmonton, Alberta
GATES @ 4:00PM
RACING @ 6:00PM