EDMONTON, AB – The 2009 Castrol Raceway season opener originally scheduled for this Saturday, May 2nd has been cancelled. The cancellation means the 2009 Lucas Oil Slick Mist Season Opener for the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series is postponed until the May long weekend at Bridge County Raceway in Lethbridge. “This will be the third year in a row that race fans in southern Alberta get to see the first race of the season featuring the stars of the NPP Late Model Series,” indicates NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “it would have been nice to kick off our 9th season on our home track but at the same time Castrol Raceway officials did make the right call (race cancellation).” The extended cold snap in Northern Alberta has set back facility preparations at Castrol Raceway close to two weeks. “There is still some frost in the ground underneath the racing surface which hampered track preparation,” adds Craig, “the race track will be ready for this Saturday but Castrol Raceway continues to battle frozen pipes underneath the main concession. The building has power but no water.”

Castrol Raceway operations manager Denny Miller says a season opener must include a properly functioning facility for race fans. “The last thing we want to do is have a bunch of potential new race fans come to the facility and not give them a positive racing experience.” A capacity crowd was expected for the 2009 Season Opener in Edmonton. The past several months the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series and Castrol Raceway handed out complimentary race tickets for the May 2nd Season Opener. “Race fans can still come to the track this Saturday and watch some race cars,” adds Miller, “but it will be a test ‘n’ tune day instead of a race day.” The complimentary race tickets will now be valid for the re-scheduled Castrol Raceway Season Opener on Friday May 8th. The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series next race date in Edmonton is scheduled for Friday, June 5th.

CASTROL RACEWAY TEST ‘n’ TUNE (formerly Season Opener)
> Saturday, May 2nd
Gates Open: NOON
Cars on track at 2:00PM
Spectators – FREE
Competitors – standard race day admission

ATTENTION: SEASON OPENING TICKET HOLDERS
Both the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series and Castrol Raceway handed out complimentary tickets to the 2009 Season opener originally scheduled for this Saturday, May 2nd. These tickets will be honored at the Friday, May 8th race event at Castrol Raceway. The NPP Late Model Series is not scheduled to race this night however several NPP Late Model teams will be at the track.