EDMONTON, AB – Canada’s longest running open wheel race event is this weekend at Castrol Raceway. First competed at Edmonton’s Speedway Park (1954 – 1969), the 60th anniversary of the Gold Cup runs Friday and Saturday night. Castrol Raceway has hosted the prestigious Gold Cup event since the track opened back in 1991. “The Gold Cup race weekend has always had special meaning to us,” says Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series announcer Gord Craig, “it was at the 1999 Gold Cup that the NPP Late Model made its official debut in Edmonton.” Dwight Kennedy, the founder of the NPP Late Model Series [launched in 2001], won the very first NPP Late Model Feature in Edmonton. “We’ve certainly come a long way as a Series,” says Kennedy, “hard to believe we’ve raced that long in Edmonton.” Kennedy enters the race weekend as the NPP Late Model Series point leader in his familiar red and white #81 Dodge. “It’s sure been awhile since I’ve been able to say that.” Wheeler needed a break anyways. He’s been sitting in the top spot for too long.” The last time Kennedy sat number one in the NPP Series Championship points chase was September of 2008. “I know Wheeler is going to come on strong this weekend.” Kennedy has three NPP Series Feature wins at Gold Cup events since 2001. The Edson, Alberta driver struggled at last years Gold Cup finishing 11th.

Whitecourt, Alberta’s Kevin Wheeler sits just four points behind Kennedy in the standings. Wheeler won the NPP Series Feature at the 2013 Gold Cup and intends to take back the point lead this weekend. “We’re not going to hold back at all,” says the driver of the Bill Weins Trucking/Tundra Oilfield #3 Dodge, “it took us a few years but we’ve finally figured out Edmonton.” Wheeler went seven seasons without a win in Edmonton. “I know we probably had four or five race wins slip through our fingers over the years. Right now though as a team, we are a lot more confident going to Edmonton.” Wheeler has an opportunity to set a brand new NPP Late Model Series record Friday night. A Feature win would be Wheelers sixth consecutive NPP Series Feature win which has never been accomplished before in the 14 year history of the Series. Wheeler and retired NPP Series driver Mike Tom currently share the record with five consecutive Feature wins.

Entering race action third in the NPP Series points chase is Calgary, Alberta’s Mark Miller. Not only will Miller be looking at whose ahead of him on the track this weekend, he’ll be keeping an eye out for a brand new driver making his NPP Series debut. “I’m pretty excited to be able to race against Ken Webster this weekend.” Ken Webster and the Miller family have known each other for close to two decades. “When I first got into racing, Ken actually lent me a Legend Car. Without Ken I really don’t know if I’d be racing today.” Miller indicates that the Sylvan Lake, Alberta driver will be a tough competitor in the NPP Series once he figures out his new car. “Ken is no stranger to racing, he’s raced Sprint Cars, Legend Cars, Dragsters and Funny Cars. That guy can race anything. He’ll be fun to race against. I hope to kick his butt!” Miller sits just seven points out of top spot in the NPP Series Championship points chase. The driver of the A1 Autobody #69 Chevrolet feels a trip to victory lane is getting closer. “We’ve run pretty good for only our second full year on the dirt. Hopefully if things go according to plan we’ll pick up a win.” Miller finished 9th in the Gold Cup Feature last year.