EDMONTON, AB. (August 15) – Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series drivers are setting their sights high as the 2013 race season enters the home stretch.  Crystal Kennedy and Dean Deatherage are just a handful of points out of the top 5 in the NPP Series Championship point standings.  Kennedy sits 7th in the points chase and knows she can’t look too far ahead in the schedule.  “It’s going to be race by race for me, “admits the Edson, Alberta driver, “top-five [in points] would be ok, but I really want to finish in the top-three this year.”  Kennedy, who became the highest finishing female driver with her 6th place finish in points back in 2011, hopes track conditions play into her hands this Saturday night.  “I’m really hoping to run the high-line in Edmonton. I did that [at the Season Opener] and finished 4th.”  Mechanical problems unfortunately plagued Kennedy’s #88 Dodge at the last race in Edmonton.  She finished the Feature in 12th which dropped her three positions in the standings.  “I need a good finish to make up for the last race.”

KENNEDY CURRENTLY SITS 7th IN STANDINGS

Dean Deatherage currently sits 6th in the NPP Series Championship points chase, tied with two-time Series Champion Dwight Kennedy.  “Even though I’ve had seat time in the past it was hard getting comfortable [behind the wheel],” says the driver of the Scott Safety #18 Dodge, “the only reason why is because I very rarely drove the same car twice.”  Since 2008, Deatherage has been a fill-in driver for the NPP Late Model Series.  The Whitecourt, Alberta driver is racing his first full-season in the NPP Late Model Series in 2013.  As a relief/backup driver, Deatherage had 12 NPP Series starts in five different race cars.  Despite the musical race cars, Deatherage still managed an average Feature finish of 9.25 with eight top-10 finishes.  In 2013, Deatherage has had average Feature finish of 7th.

DEATHERAGE GETTING COMFORTABLE IN HIS SCOTT SAFETY #18 DODGE (photo: STP Racing Memories)

“Driving the same car every race definitely helps with the confidence.  I know where the car is [set-up wise] because it’s the same car every race.”  Deatherage is still smiling after the last NPP Late Model Series event where he finished 8th.  “I couldn’t believe I was going by Michael Waltrip and Sterling Marlin [near the end of the race].  Racing with Ken Schrader and duking it out with Dave Blaney is something I will never forget.”

– Saturday, August 17th
> 4:00PM – Spectator Gates
> 6:00PM – Racing

Classes competing:
NPP Late Model Series
Sportsman Sprint Cars
Super Stocks
Mini Stocks