EDMONTON, AB. – The Gold Cup was first competed in Edmonton (Speedway Park) back in 1954. In 1997, Northern Provincial Pipelines Ltd. became directly involved in Canada’s oldest, most prestigious open wheel race as both a major sponsor and major participant. “We’ve sponsored this race several times over the years,” says NPP owner and president Dwight Kennedy, “1997 was also the first season we were the major sponsor of Wade Fleming’s sprint car.”

Fleming, who retired from Sprint Car racing in 2009, would win the 1997 Gold Cup sponsored by Northern Provincial Pipelines and would go on to win the 1997 Castrol Raceway track championship. Two-years later, the upstart NPP Late Model class would make its debut alongside the open wheel Sprint Cars for the 1999 Gold Cup. “We’d been racing in Valemont, Clearwater and Hinton at the time,” says Kennedy, “so to be given the opportunity to race in Edmonton was pretty big for our small group.” Including Kennedy, a total of 6 NPP Late Model teams plus 4 Super Stock teams made the tow to Edmonton. Edson, Alberta’s Kennedy would win the debut NPP Late Model Feature event in his familiar #81 Dodge. “I still have that trophy around here somewhere”. The NPP Late Model class would return for the 2000 Gold Cup. Kennedy would again drive to victory lane.

The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series would officially form in 2001 and run its inaugural season at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway and would again be the support class for the Sprint Cars at the 2001 Gold Cup. “The competition in the NPP Series has been tough since the very beginning,” adds the 2001 and 2006 NPP Series Champion, “you just never know who’s going to win these races anymore. It’s even more tougher at two-day shows like the Gold Cup.” Kennedy, who currently sits sixth in NPP Series Championship points has gone to victory lane a total of three times at Gold Cup events since 2001. “It’s been a few years since we’ve won at the Gold Cup [2007]. Maybe this year will be our year.” For the 12th consecutive season, the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series will be supporting the open wheel Sprint Car class at the 2012 Gold Cup in Edmonton.

2012 GOLD CUP
>Friday, July 20th
>Saturday, July 21st
– featuring ‘360’ Sprint Cars and the NPP Late Model Series

FEATURE WINNERS AT GOLD CUP EVENTS (SINCE 2001)
6 – Trevor Emond
3 – Jason Beaulieu
3 – Dwight Kennedy
2 – Bruce Broughton
2 – Darrell Midgley
2 – Larry Simpson
2 – Mike Tom

Dwight Kennedy— (01 Gold Cup – Night #1)
Larry Simpson —– (01 Gold Cup – Night #2)
Trevor Emond —– (02 Gold Cup-Night #1)
Larry Simpson—– (02 Gold Cup – Night #2)
Trevor Emond——(03 Gold Cup – Night #1)
Trevor Emond——(03 Gold Cup – Night #2)
Dwight Kennedy—(04 Gold Cup – Night #1)
Jason Beaulieu——(04 Gold Cup – Night #2)
Trevor Emond——(05 Gold Cup – Night #1)
Trevor Emond——(05 Gold Cup – Night #2)
Darrell Midgley—-(06 Gold Cup – Night #1)
Trevor Emond——(06 Gold Cup – Night #2)
Jason Beaulieu——(07 Gold Cup – Night #1)
Dwight Kennedy—(07 Gold Cup – Night #2)
Jason Beaulieu——(08 Gold Cup)^^
Mike Tom———— (09 Gold Cup – Night #1)
Darrell Midgley—-(09 Gold Cup – Night #2)
Bruce Broughton—(10 Gold Cup – Night #1)
Bruce Broughton—(10 Gold Cup – Night #2)
Mike Tom———– (11 Gold Cup)^^

^^ One night show – First night rained out.