EDMONTON, AB – The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series kicks off its 9th incredible season of race action in Lethbridge, Alberta this May long weekend (Saturday, Sunday May 16 & 17). The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 2009 Season Opener at Bridge County Raceway marks the third year in a row that the first event of a NPP Championship season takes place in southern Alberta. With the current economic decline in Canada, several NPP Series race teams have had to scale back their racing operations for the upcoming season. Others will be racing even harder for the coveted NPP Series Championship. Leading up to the season opener, the official website of the NPP Late Model Series will be previewing the starting ‘lineup’ for the 2009 race season.

#3 KEVIN WHEELER – Whitecourt, Alberta
Kevin Wheeler’s only Feature win in 2008 took place during the NPP Late Model Series inaugural trip to the United States. With an 8th place finish in the standings last season, Wheeler was looking forward to the start of the 2009 season. Unfortunately the current economic downturn is affecting Wheelers racing ambitions for the upcoming season. “Things have dramatically changed in the last few months for us,” says the disappointed Whitecourt, Alberta driver, “KW Mechanical is still busy, but I don’t have the luxury right now of disappearing on weekends to go racing.” Wheeler still hopes to compete in a few race events in 2009. “At this point in time I can’t even give you a guess as to the number of events we will run. Heck we may not even be able to run at all.”

# 2 ARVID FONSTAD – Entwistle, Alberta
Arvid Fonstad was noticeably absent for much of the 2008 NPP Late Model Series race season. A combination of blown motors in his race car and work commitments with ChemServ Products had Fonstad sitting on the sidelines. Fonstad competed in only 6 NPP Series races and finished 21st in points.

Fonstad was one of the most consistent drivers when the NPP Late Model Series made its American debut at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington last season. The Entwistle, Alberta competitor had Heat race wins and a top 10 finish (4th and 6th) in the Feature both nights. Fonstad plans on running as many NPP Series events as possible in 2009. He’ll also will be running his IMCA Modified as well as his open wheel Midget Sprint Car this season.

#01 TEAM STEWART – Seba Beach, Alberta
The husband and wife team of Dan and Kelly Stewart are back again in 2009 looking to build on a successful season they had last year. Team Stewart’s best showing in 2008 was a second place finish at Central Alberta Raceways in Rimbey. The Dukes of Hazzard themed #01 Dodge was never out of the top 10 in the NPP Series points chase last season. At one point the Stewart’s were as high as fourth in the point standings but finished the season in the 10th position.

#00 BLAIR SNOW – Calgary, Alberta
Blair Snow will be taking over driving duties from Dan Snow in 2009. Spending much of last season crewing for his father, the Calgarian jumped into the driver seat a couple of times and decided it was time to get behind the wheel to race full-time once again. Like his father, much of Blair’s racing history was spent competing on pavement at Race City Speedway in Calgary. There was some off-season discussion of a two-car team in 2009 but with the economic downturn, the Snow’s decided to stick with just one race car for now. Blair Snow will be racing for Rookie of the Year honors in 2009.