LETHBRIDGE, AB – Before the May long weekend, racefans in Southern Alberta may not have even heard of Campbell River, British Columbia. They are aware of its existence now and may even be able to find it on a map after an amazing performance by the father and son team of Jason and Chris Beaulieu. The Vancouver Island duo took home the checkered flag in both classes that competed at Lethbridge, Alberta’s Bridge County Raceway Sunday night. Chris Beaulieu, in only his second race on dirt in an IMCA Modified, dominated the 25 lap Feature event and drove to victory lane for the first time. The 21 year old son of NPP Series competitor Jason Beaulieu then promptly jumped into an NPP Late Model as a relief driver (Team Stewart #01 Dodge) and finished 4th in a 30 lap Feature event.

Not to be out done, Jason Beaulieu followed in his sons ‘smaller’ footsteps and promptly went out and won his first NPP Late Model Feature of the 2009 season. “What a night for me and the kid,” exclaims the 2007 NPP Series champion, “he ran great in his Modified and almost had a podium finish in a NPP car. My wife Tammy and I are pretty proud parents tonight (Sunday).” Jason Beaulieu’s NPP Series victory, on the second night of the Lucas Oil/Slick Mist Season opening weekend, put the 25 year racing veteran into the number one spot in the NPP point standings. “No matter what class you drive, be it a modified of a stock car, you have to be patient here (Lethbridge),” says Beaulieu, “if you overdrive this track, you are in for a long frustrating night.” Ironically it was Beaulieu who may have been the impatient one Saturday night when he destroyed his IMCA Modified in a spectacular front straight crash. “Driver error plain and simple,” sigh’s Beaulieu, “this was the first race car I have written off in 15 years.” Still on Saturday night, Beaulieu spun twice during race action in his #46 Lucas Oil Dodge and but managed to escape the night with fourth a fourth place finish in the Feature.

Sunday night saw Beaulieu living up to his words of driving patiently and waiting for an opportunity. Beaulieu ran second for 18 consecutive laps trailing pole sitter Kevin Clark who had lead all the laps in the NPP Feature up to this point. Beaulieu would inherit the lead with 10 laps to go after Clark, who finished third Saturday night, brushed the front straight wall and would be forced to retire from the race. Clark, who led the most laps Sunday night, was credited with an 11th place finish and moved down from 2nd to 4th in the NPP Series points chase. Beaulieu meanwhile will defend his newly found point lead at the next NPP Late Model Series event at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway on June 5th.