EDMONTON, AB. – The $100,000 Northern Provincial Pipeline Late Model Series wraps up the 2006 season this Saturday night at Castrol Raceway.  “We already know who the 2006 Series champion is, that was decided last month.” says NPP tour announcer Gord Craig, “the Edmonton track championship is far from decided.  This last race of the year could be a war.”  Edson, Alberta’s Dwight Kennedy clinched the Series crown the end of August.  The Castrol Raceway track standings have Kennedy with a slim 6 point lead over three-time NPP Series/Edmonton track champion Trevor Emond.  “Can’t win the Series, might as well win a track championship,” says Emond who enters action this weekend on a three-race winning streak in Edmonton.  Emond has an opportunity to enter the Castrol Raceway record books as only the second oval driver in track history to win four consecutive championships.  “I was racing Super Stock when Kelvin (Bell) won his four championships (1992 – 1995).  Records aren’t easy to come by here (in Edmonton) so when you have the opportunity you gotta grab it.”  Hoping for his second Edmonton track championship in five seasons is Dwight Kennedy.  “We got the Series wrapped up.  Now we have to focus on that track championship,” indicates Kennedy, “the starting position in the Feature is critical right now.  We can’t afford to start at the back like we did the last race (Sept. 9th).  If we do well in the heats, start sixth or better in the Feature we should be in pretty good shape.”  Sitting third in the NPP Series and Castrol Raceway track points is Darrell Midgley.  The Sidney, British Columbia driver has had three consecutive podium finishes which has allowed him to edge closer to both Kennedy and Emond in the standings.  Midgley indicates poor performance at two races this season are coming back to haunt him now.  “The season opener in Rimbey and the July 1st race in Edmonton are the only races this year that we did not place in the top 10 in a Feature.  I was leading the race and spun (in Rimbey) and got black flagged in Edmonton,” says Midgley shaking his head, “where would I be right now with those extra 70 or 80 extra points?”  Midgley has a chance at becoming the first non-Alberta driver to ever win an Oval championship at Castrol Raceway.  “That’s not on my mind right now. I intend to run a patient race and be there at the end.  Dwight and Trevor are in a battle of their own right now,” smiles Midgley, “maybe I can take advantage of that.”  With many positions in the NPP Late Model standings (Series and track) still undecided, the final race of the 2006 season this Saturday night will be one for the record books.

FINAL NPP RACE OF SEASON
CASTROL RACEWAY – Edmonton, Alberta
> Saturday, September 23rd
Racing starts @ 6:00pm