EDMONTON, AB (July 16) – The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series was proud to be a major part of one of the most successful Gold Cup race events in Castrol Raceway track history.  “Race teams in both the NPP Series and Fountain Tire Alberta Sprint Tour should be extremely proud of their weekend,” says NPP tour announcer Gord Craig, “that was probably the best two nights of racing from both classes all season.  The NPP Late Model Series also would congratulates Bill Boyce on winning the prestigious Gold Cup Sprint Car Feature on Saturday night,” adds Craig, “Boyce came out and supported us when we were racing at his home track in Lethbridge (Bridge County Raceway) earlier this year so I know a lot of the NPP teams were rooting for Bill to win this night.”  “I’m glad a Canadian won,” says Darrell Midgley, who won the Friday NPP Late Model Feature and placed second on Saturday. “Based on our performance from the Oilmen’s (July 1/2) I knew we were getting close”, says the Sidney, BC driver, “I would have been very upset if we had not won at least one of these nights.  Trevor and I had a real good race going on both nights.” Midgley’s strong performance at the Gold Cup was mirrored by Leduc, Alberta’s Trevor Emond.  “We had a good weekend,” say’s the three-time NPP Series champion, “but these two-days shows sure take a toll on the crew, the drivers and the car.  After what happened to us at the Oilmen’s two weeks ago (black flag/engine problems) it was good to get a win and second place.  I would have liked to have gotten my win Saturday night under different circumstances though.”  Hardisty, Alberta’s Kelvin Bell was initially awarded the checkered flag after battling with Emond the final 10 laps of the Feature event.  “We weighed in 40 pounds too light so my win was taken away,” says an extremely disappointed Bell, “I weighed my car before coming here and it was OK, so someone’s scales are out.”  Castrol Raceway officials gave Bell the option of having his car weighed on a different set of scales that were set up for the Sprint Cars and it was the same 40 pounds under the 3,000 minimum weight rule for the Late Model class.  “I’m more upset about having the win taken away because I had a special sponsor sitting in the stands watching me race.”  Eagle Agro Services out of Veteran, Alberta was a special two-race sponsor on Bells car.  “I know they liked what they saw and here’s hoping they’ll join my other sponsor Gregg’s Contracting for the rest of the season.”  The Northern Provincial Pipelines Ltd Late Model Series next event is at the brand new Central Alberta Raceway’s in Rimbey, Alberta on Saturday July 29th (2:00PM start).  This race is the official halfway point of the 2006 season for Late Model teams.