EDMONTON, AB – This long holiday weekend, race fans in Southern Alberta will get the first opportunity to look at brand new race cars, shiny new paint jobs, plus be able to meet the rookie and veteran drivers of the $100,000 Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series. “For the second year in a row the NPP Series starts its season on the road,” indicates NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “we got rained out in Edmonton at the beginning of the month (May 5th) so the next scheduled event became our season opener.” Saturday and Sunday, May 19th and 20th is the inaugural visit of the NPP Series to Hidden Valley Motorsports Park at Drumheller, Alberta. “No one in the series has ever raced at this track before,” says Craig, “to make matters even more interesting, it’s also the first back to back race weekend of the season.” One driver who’s not intimidated by the new track is defending season champion Dwight Kennedy. “We’re about as ready as anyone right now,” says the Edson, Alberta driver, “I hope to have this Dodge up at the front both nights.” Kennedy confidence comes from the fact that he has a winning streak at new tracks that dates back two seasons now. Kennedy won the inaugural NPP Series race in Rimbey in 2005. He also took the checkered flag at the inaugural race in Lethbridge last season. “There is a little bit of pressure on me heading into the race,” adds Kennedy, “I just want to carry the momentum from last season to this year. I have to cause’ there are plenty of drivers who will be coming after me.” One of those drivers will be Mike Tom (#55). “After last seasons catastrophe, let’s get this season going. I’m ready!” Tom had one of his worst seasons ever in his 10 years of Oval racing. “Mechanical woes, a written off race car, handling problems knocking us out of races, you name it, chances are it happened to us last year. Last season was the worst ever but you can learn from that. I’m planning on making 2007 the best.”