EDMONTON, AB. – Even though race engines have been silent since early September, the top competitors from the 2012 Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series race season are still making a little noise during the off season. Proudly displayed on the rear window of the NPP Late Model Series Official Pace Car is a three foot wide decal featuring top rookie driver Mike Dunn, third-place finisher Dwight Kennedy, second place Darin Borysko and season champion Kevin Wheeler. “It’s a great way to honor the top three drivers and our rookie of the year,” says NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “racing is furthest from the minds of most people right now but this moving billboard [pace car] keeps the NPP Series and our drivers in the public eye.” Kevin Wheeler, the 2012 NPP Series Champion, was surprised to hear about his high profile picture placement. “I haven’t seen the back of the pace car since Saskatchewan but that’s pretty cool to hear that there is a picture of my car on it.”

The Whitecourt, Alberta driver made his NPP Series debut during the middle of the 2006 season and has quickly become one of the top drivers in the Series. “We’ve had a pretty good run the last few years in this Series,” adds Wheeler, “hopefully it will continue.” Wheeler finished second in the Championship points chase in 2011 and third in 2010. Schedule preparations for the 2013 season continue. NPP Late Model Series teams will be meeting in January to discuss the past season and the upcoming race year.