EDMONTON, AB – The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series reaches the halfway point of the 2008 season at one of the biggest fastest oval tracks in Western Canada. The NPP Series has made at least one scheduled stop at Bridge County Raceway in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2006. It’s the second visit to the ‘Big Oval’ for the Series this season. “This is a crucial point in the schedule for all NPP teams,” says NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “the season will be officially half over after the Lethbridge race. The points chase is so tight right now that no team can afford to have an off night or even a mechanical problem. Something simple as a flat tire could potentially cost a driver three spots in the overall standings.” Since 2006, only three NPP Series drivers have been to victory lane in Lethbridge. Dwight Kennedy (2 wins), Jason Beaulieu (2) and Kevin Wheeler (1) are all looking forward to the return trip to Bridge County Raceway. “We’ve done very well in Lethbridge,” says Jason Beaulieu, driver of the #46 All Weather Windows Dodge, “we won the spring race (May 31st) so hopefully we can pass a few cars and get to the front again this weekend.”

The Campbell River BC driver, who also won the race in Lethbridge last July, sits third in the NPP Series point standings, just 102 points behind current leader Dwight Kennedy. “The pressure is on us now,” says the driver of the #81 Lucas Oil Dodge, “that little cushion we built up after the Oilmen’s race is all but gone. You can’t be checking over your shoulder at whose behind,” smiles the Edson, Alberta driver, “because that’s when they’ll pass you in the points.”

Kennedy is coming of an 8th place finish in Edmonton last weekend. Kevin Wheeler has a bit of a soft spot for Southern Alberta. The Whitecourt, Alberta driver grabbed his first ever Feature victory last September in Lethbridge.

“After a bit of a slow start to the season we’ve fought our way back into the points chase,” indicates the driver of the # 3 KW Mechanical sponsored Dodge, “we’re sitting sixth right now in points. It would sure be nice to grab another Feature win trophy in Lethbridge. It would do wonders in getting even closer to Dwight, Brian (McCaughan) and Darrell (Midgley).”

NPP/LETHBRIDGE FEATURE WINNERS
May 31st, 2008 – Jason Beaulieu; Campbell River, BC
September 2nd, 2007 – Kevin Wheeler, Whitecourt, Alberta
September 1st, 2007 – Dwight Kennedy, Edson, Alberta
July 21st, 2007 – Jason Beaulieu; Campbell River, BC
June 3rd, 2006 – Dwight Kennedy, Edson, Alberta

BRIDGE COUNTY RACEWAY
> SATURDAY, JULY 19th
Gates @ 5PM
Racing @ 7PM