EDSON, AB – For the past several seasons, custom made Feature win decals have been awarded to drivers of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series. It’s a simple display of accomplishment for teams that compete in one of the toughest racing series in the province of Alberta. This past season three different drivers went to victory lane. Calgary, Alberta’s Mark Miller opened the 2016 season with a victory at Central Alberta Raceways. Sidney, British Columbia’s Darrell Midgley, the 2016 NPP Series Champion, won big at both Castrol Raceway and Central Alberta Raceways. Edson, Alberta’s Shawn Kennedy wrapped up the 2016 season with a victory at Central Alberta Raceways. The win for Kennedy was extra special as it was his second ever NPP Series Feature event win but the first time he’s visited victory lane since the 2006 season. Only two tracks hosted NPP Series race action in 2016.

The original plan was to compete at four tracks in 2016 including a return to southern Alberta’s Dinosaur Downs Speedway in Drumheller and a trip to the newly re-opened Drayton Valley Speedway. NPP Series officials were so confident this was going to take place that Feature win decals were made up for these tracks. Unfortunately the Alberta economy took a major turn for the worst in 2016 and the race schedule had to be scaled back. These Feature win decals went unclaimed.

There is a glimmer of hope for the economy as NPP Series officials start schedule planning for the 2017 season. Early discussions point to potential NPP Series events at five Alberta tracks next year. One date that has already been placed on the tentative 2017 NPP Series schedule is Friday and Saturday July 21st and 22nd. Castrol Raceway has announced the annual Gold Cup Sprint Car race will be held on this weekend. The NPP Late Model has been the support class for this event since 1999. The Gold Cup was first run in Edmonton back in 1954.

NPP LATE MODEL SERIES
2017 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
May – ???
June – ???
Friday, July 21st – Castrol Raceway – Edmonton
Saturday, July 22nd – Castrol Raceway – Edmonton
August – ???
September – ???
October – ???