EDMONTON, AB – After last months season opening rainout in Lethbridge, race teams of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series hope this Saturday nights sun-filled weather forecast holds true. “Lets get this season going,” exclaims Stony Plain, Alberta’s Mike Tom, “losing the long weekend race in Lethbridge was disappointing but now we get to start off the season in Edmonton.” Tom is looking to join an exclusive group of drivers that have won a NPP Series season opening race. “As a team we’ve been working on our set-up notes the last few seasons and it’s finally paying off. If we can nail it (the set-up) going into the Feature, I’m pretty confident we can win it from where ever we start.” Tom finished second in the 2010 NPP Late Model Series Championship points chase thanks to winning the final two Feature events in Edmonton.

Six different drivers have won the first NPP Late Model race of the season dating back to the inaugural 2001 season. The inaugural season champion of the NPP Late Model Series is anticipating a very competitive night. “It’s been a while since we’ve raced in Edmonton,” says Edson, Alberta’s Dwight Kennedy, “its been a few years since we’ve won a Feature in Edmonton (August 23rd, 2008). We’ve definitely run a few laps at that race track over the years. It would be nice to start the season with a win.”

This is only second time in the last six years that Edmonton race fans have had the opportunity to watch a NPP Series season opening race. Ironically Saturday nights Feature race will also be the 100th NPP Series Feature competed in Edmonton since 2001.

SEASON OPENER WINNERS
2010 – Bruce Broughton – Edmonton
2009 – Darrell Midgley – Lethbridge
2008 – Dwight Kennedy – Okotoks
2007 – Jason Beaulieu – Drumheller
2006 – Trevor Emond – Rimbey
2005 – Jason Beaulieu – Edmonton
2004 – Trevor Emond – Edmonton
2003 – Feature Cancelled due to SNOW!! (heats were run) – Edmonton
2002 – Larry Simpson – Valemount, British Columbia
2001 – Larry Simpson – Valemount, British Columbia

LUCAS SLICK MIST 2011 SEASON OPENER (take 2)
> Saturday, June 4th
Gates open @ 4:00pm
Racing @ 6:00pm

STATUS OF TONIGHTS RACE: (as of 9:40am)
Castrol Raceway officials have given the GREEN LIGHT to tonight’s event.
Spectator gates open at 4:00pm / Racing starts at 6:00pm.

NOTE: The NPP Late Model Series will be testing its live video feed (1 camera) from Castrol Raceway tonight. The quality of the video is expected to be an issue due to uploading speed from the racetrack.