EDMONTON, AB. – Mike Tom continues to inch closer to his first ever Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series Championship.  The current season point leader won his heat race plus the all important Feature event Saturday night at Castrol Raceway.  Tom’s fifth consecutive victory also set a brand new NPP Series record.

“In the back of my mind I’m thinking it (winning streak) can never continue.  There’s too many competitive drivers in this series.”  The driver of the Enerbuilt Technologies #55 Chevrolet held off a late race charge from Kevin Wheeler to claim the checkered flag.  “Winning five in a row is insane!”  The Stony Plain, Alberta driver has a comfortable 70 point lead in the standings with two races remaining in the 2011 season.  Kevin Wheeler and his KW Mechanical #3 Dodge looked to be gaining on Tom the final few laps of the Feature but was pleased with his second place finish.  “I’m definitely happy with second considering the alternative.”  The Whitecourt, Alberta driver narrowly missed colliding with pole sitter Kelvin Bell who spun early the Feature.  “I thought my night was going to be over for sure when Kelvin spun.  I nicked him when I went by.  Definitely some luck on our part.”  No yellow flag was thrown for Bell who fought back for a third place finish and moved into the top ten in points for the first time this season.

Wheeler’s second place finish moved him past two-time NPP Series Champion Dwight Kennedy to take over second place in the 2011 NPP Series points chase.  Kennedy was chasing motor issues all night.  “It wasn’t a good night,” sighs the driver of the Lucas Oil #81 Dodge, “we had some plug wires come off in the heat (finished last).  We started off strong in the Feature but the motor started going away the last few laps.”  Kennedy wrapped up the night in fourth just ahead of his daughter Crystal who finished fifth.

 

The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series travels to Bridge County Raceway in Lethbridge, Alberta for the September long weekend.  The southern Alberta race track hosts the Lucas Oil NPP Season Championship race plus the 2011 Oilmen’s Classic.

NPP RACE NOTES
– no NPP Features have been won from the pole position this season. (1 in 2010 / 3 in 2009)
– Kevin Wheeler ran his first ‘A’ Dash of the season Saturday night and finished 3rd.
– Crystal Kennedy scored her second top-five of the season after finishing fifth in the Feature Saturday night.
– tough night for two drivers vying for 2011 NPP Rookie of the Year honors. Curtis Ellis and Kary Rogers missed the Feature due to engine problems.
– Mike Tom (point leader), Crystal Kennedy (5th), Travis Day (8th) and Ryan Ellis (10th) were the only drivers to leave Edmonton holding onto their position in the point standings.
– Tom has averaged 207 points/event this season. With two races to go, Tom needs 379 points to clinch the 2011 NPP Championship or an average of 189.5 points/night at the September 3rd & 4th race weekend in Lethbridge.