EDMONTON, AB – The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series enters the stretch drive of the 2009 season this weekend.  “This is a crucial part of the season,” says NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “the point’s race is extremely tight right now.  With just seven races to go, having a bad night or an off-night is not an option.”  Lethbridge, Alberta’s Bridge County Raceway and Rocky Mountain Raceway Park, south of Calgary, host the NPP Late Model Series this Saturday and Sunday.  “This is our third and final Southern Alberta road trip of the season.” Jason Beaulieu, who sits second in the NPP Series Championship Points chase, has reason to smile entering race action.  The Campbell River BC has won five of the last six NPP Features at Bridge County Raceway dating back to July of 2007.  Beaulieu also won the NPP Feature at Rocky Mountain Raceway Park on June 20th.

“I’m not going to change the way I drive at all,” exclaims the driver of the #46 Lucas Oil Dodge, “its two different tracks and two race nights.  The number one goal right now is finishing near the front Saturday and Sunday.”  One driver hoping to stop Beaulieu’s Southern Alberta domination is Leduc, Alberta’s Trevor Emond.  “Our best finish in Lethbridge so far this year is fifth.  At our last race there (June 27th), we hurt the motor.”  Emond however did drive his Glentel Wireless #17 Chevrolet to a second place finish at Rocky Mountain Raceway Park in June.  Last year Emond drove to RMRP’s victory lane twice.  “We know we have a good car.  We’ve got the setup.  It’s just a matter of getting out their and getting the job done.”  Emond, who sits sixth in the NPP Series Championship Points Chase, is coming off a win in Edmonton on the August long weekend.

 

“I sure hope we can keep the momentum going.”  The three-time NPP Series Champion (2003, 04, 05) has a win, a second and a third in his last three NPP Feature events.  Emond is 50 points back of two-time NPP Series Champion (2001, 06) Dwight Kennedy who sits fifth in the NPP Series Championship Points Chase.  Altario, Alberta’s Kevin Clark is fourth in the standings just 10 points ahead of Kennedy.  Stony Plain Alberta’s Mike Tom sits third in points just 22 points behind Jason Beaulieu.  Sidney, British Columbia’s Darrell Midgley remains number one in points with a 138 point cushion over Beaulieu.

 

BRIDGE COUNTY RACEWAY – Lethbridge, AB
>Saturday, August 15th
Spectator gates at 5PM
Racing at 7PM

BCR FEATURE WINS
Jason Beaulieu 5
Dwight Kennedy 2
Darrell Midgley 1
Kevin Wheeler 1

 

>Sunday, August 16th
Spectator gates at 4PM
Racing at 5PM

RMRP FEATURE WINS
Trevor Emond 3
Dwight Kennedy 2
Jason Beaulieu 1
Kevin Clark 1
Gerry Emond 1
Paul Grundberg 1