EDMONTON, AB. (August 4) – The 10th anniversary celebrations of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series have been a little muted this year.  “We’re at the halfway point of our season. Unfortunately half of our scheduled races have been wiped out by mother nature.”

Despite the rainouts, NPP Series announcer and media relations director Gord Craig remains positive looking at the last half of the 2011 season.  “It’s go or go home time for some race teams.  The championship is far from being decided at this point.  Race fans in Edmonton and Lethbridge will be seeing some hard fought events to wrap up our season.”  Stony Plain, Alberta’s Mike Tom sits atop the NPP Late Model Series point standings.  “We have a bit of a point cushion heading into the next race in Edmonton (52 points) but that cushion can be chewed up pretty quick if we have an off night.”  This is the first time the driver of the Hinton Oilfield Services #55 Chevrolet has been the point leader.

“It’s a very competitive group of racers.  You take the wins when you can get them.”  Tom, who has finished second in the NPP Championship points chase twice (2010 & 2005), has won four consecutive NPP Series Feature events.

Two-time NPP Series Champion Dwight Kennedy sits second in the points chase at the halfway point of the season.  “It’s a race by race deal now.  We have to win the next one.  It’s as simple as that.”

The Edson, Alberta driver continues to recover from four cracked ribs after his Lucas Oil #81 Dodge had an encounter with the back straight wall in Edmonton last month.  “I’m still pretty sore but the doctors say I’ll be ready to go.”  The Edson, Alberta competitor won the inaugural NPP Late Model Series points championship back in 2001 and again in 2006.

Whitecourt, Alberta’s Kevin Wheeler sits third in the NPP Series Championship points chase and says a victory in Edmonton would be a huge boost.  “It would be nice to win on the home track. We have won elsewhere (Washington and Lethbridge) but for some reason we keep coming up a little short here.”

The driver of the KW Mechanical Services #3 Dodge has three second place finishes in his last five appearances in Edmonton.  “Getting wins in this Series is very tough.  Just getting to the podium is tough.  As long as we are having fun that’s the bottom line and right now we are having a blast racing.  The wins will come.”

NEXT NPP SERIES RACE EVENT
Saturday, August 20th
Castrol Raceway – Edmonton, Alberta