EDMONTON, AB. – Its official. Punxsutawney Phil, Shubenecadie Sam, Wiarton Willie and Balzac Billy all saw their shadows on this Groundhog Day 2009. As legend dictates, its another six weeks of winter. In just thirteen weeks, the chase for the 2009 Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series championship begins. Often expected during any off-season are changes to the tentative race schedule. “It’s not a major adjustment,” says NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “we’re actually just going back to the previous tentative schedule.”

The Friday, May 29th and Saturday, May 30th race dates at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway and Rimbey’s Central Alberta Raceway have been moved back to Friday, June 5th and Saturday, June 6th. “Last months change (Jan. 18th), was due to a possiblity of some staffing concerns at Central Alberta Raceways. That is not the case anymore. The good news is that Castrol Raceway is still adjusting their 09′ schedule and had no problems with the change in race nights.” Central Alberta Raceway has hosted at least one NPP Late Model Series race since 2005. “We were the first touring Series to compete in Rimbey,” adds Craig, “it’s a great place to race.” The 2009 NPP Late Model Series schedule is about 80% complete. “Elma, Drumheller and the season Championship race date at Castrol Raceway are the only question marks we have on the schedule now. It is hoped the NPP schedule will be 100% finalized by the middle of this month.” The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series celebrates is 9th season of racing action in 2009. The season opener and the Chase for the NPP Series Championship begins Saturday May 2nd at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway.

2009 NPP LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE
– as of Monday, February 2nd (tentative dates**)
Saturday April 25th Castrol Raceway (test ‘n’ tune)
Saturday, May 2nd Castrol Raceway (2009 NPP Season Opener)
Saturday, May 16th Bridge County Raceway – Lethbridge
Sunday, May 17th Bridge County Raceway – Lethbridge
Friday, June 5th Castrol Raceway – Edmonton
Saturday, June 6th Central Alberta Raceway – Rimbey
Friday, June 19th Castrol Raceway – Edmonton
Saturday, June 20th Rocky Mtn. Raceway Park – Okotoks
Saturday, June 27th Bridge County Raceway – Lethbridge
**Sunday, June 28th (track to be announced/Drumheller??)
Friday, July 10th Castrol Raceway (Gold Cup)
Saturday, July 11th Castrol Raceway (Gold Cup)
Sunday, July 12th Castrol Raceway (Gold Cup raindate)
Saturday, July 25th Rapid Fire Motorsports Park – Drayton Valley
Saturday, August 1st Castrol Raceway (Oilmens Invitational)
Sunday, August 2nd Castrol Raceway (Oilmens Invitational)
Saturday, August 15th Bridge County Raceway – Lethbridge
**Sunday, August 16th -TBA- (Drumheller??)
Friday, August 28th Castrol Raceway (Oil City Cup)
Saturday, August 29th Castrol Raceway (Oil City Cup)
**Saturday, Sept. 5th Grays Harbor Raceway – Elma, Washington
**Sunday, Sept. 6th Grays Harbor Raceway – Elma, Washington
**Saturday, Sept. 19th Castrol Raceway (Season Championship)