LETHBRIDGE, AB – Alberta’s racing scene has been dealt a nasty blow. Bridge County Raceway, Western Canada’s fastest dirt track, is shutting its doors after 20 seasons of racing. In a weekend press release, owners James and Cathy Hadnagy indicate that their business partner and track founder George Mercer has decided to retire and spend time traveling with his wife (Marj). “Kathy and myself have both decided to close the gates after 20 years. This has been one of the most difficult decisions we have had to make as owners of Bridge County Raceway, but with the re-opening of High River Speedway, it has been made easier for us.”

The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series competed at the Southern Alberta track 11 times over the course of six seasons. “This was one of the best tracks I’ve run at,” says veteran racer and 2007 NPP Series Champion Jason Beaulieu, “it was a fast wide open track that had incredible management and staff.”

Beaulieu grabbed five NPP Feature wins at BCR. His son Chris Beaulieu won the last NPP Series race in Lethbridge back in September. “This was a fun track to race at,” says Beaulieu from his Campbell River, British Columbia home, “this is not good news at all.” Edson, Alberta’s Dwight Kennedy won two Features in Lethbridge including the inaugural NPP Series race in June of 2006. “Its disappointing news,” exclaims the two-time NPP Series Champion, “we really enjoyed racing their. The track was always prepped well. We’ve had some pretty good races there over the years. We’ve had some pretty hard hits there as well.”

The NPP Late Model Series was looking at holding as many as six race events in Lethbridge during the 2012 season. The closure of Bridge County Raceway is expected to be a hot topic at the NPP Series fall meeting. The pending re-opening of Rocky Mountain Raceway Park near Okotoks in 2012 (shut down after 2009 season) will also be discussed.

NPP LATE MODEL SERIES SERIES
LETHBRIDGE FEATURE WINNERS
5 – Jason Beaulieu
2 – Dwight Kennedy
1 – Chris Beaulieu
1 – Kevin Clark
1 – Darrell Midgley
1 – Kevin Wheeler