EDMONTON, AB – The $100,000 Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series is proud to compete at Castrol Raceway’s biggest ever oval ever this Saturday and Sunday.  The inaugural Oil City Cup features the stars of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series.  “To be a part of this history making race event is a huge honor and privilege for all NPP Series teams,” says NPP tour announcer Gord Craig, “most of our Late Model drivers are Sprint Car fans too.  So it won’t surprise me to see a few extra cameras in the pits as teams try to get pictures of their favorite drivers.”  The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series was formed in 1978.  The Outlaw series last raced on Canadian soil back in 1982.  “They (Outlaws) have been racing for close to 30 years,” adds Craig, “on the other hand the NPP Late Model Series is really still in its infancy.  This is only our seventh full season of racing.”  Both Series’ (NPP & Outlaws) are just past the mid-point of their respective seasons.  The battle for season championships will be near full boil when the green flag drops this weekend.  Jason Beaulieu, the current NPP Series Point leader, is looking forward to this Friday and Saturday night for different reasons.  “It’s another two day race weekend with valuable points on the line,” says the Campbell River, BC driver, “there are only six races left in our schedule.  We can’t get too comfortable just because we’ve got a big lead in the points.  It’s up to me right now to make sure my team has a worry free September.”  Beaulieu has been point leader since the season opener in Drumheller back in May.  “We’re not giving up the chase,” says Kevin Clark, “we’re putting the pressure on Jason.  If we do well this weekend we can still catch him.  You have to treat every two night show as season makers but they can turn to season breakers in a big hurry.”  Clark won his first Feature of the year (Okotoks) on the first night of a two race weekend in July.  “Jason won the second night (Lethbridge) to stay ahead of us in the points.  “The goal right now is to have him finish behind us everytime were on the track with him. That’s the only way we can catch him.”  The NPP Late Model Series hits the highway for one final road trip in 2007 after this weekend’s event at Castrol Raceway.  Bridge County Raceway in Lethbridge welcomes the NPP Series for its first ever two-day show on the September long weekend.

DRIVER UPDATE: Doctors have given 2-time NPP Series Champion Dwight Kennedy the all clear to race this weekend at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway.  Kennedy spent almost a week in and out of Hinton Hospital suffering from a serious throat ailment.  He was released on Wednesday. The Kennedy family would like to thank the racing community and fans for their incredible phone calls of support over the past week.