EDMONTON, AB – The $100,000 Northern Provincial Pipelines Ltd. Late Model Series reaches the halfway point of the 2007 season with stops in Okotoks and Lethbridge this Friday and Saturday night. “This will be a huge test for all teams this weekend,” indicates NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “Rocky Mountain Raceway Park (near Okotoks) is a tight quarter mile track. Bridge County Raceway (Lethbridge) is the biggest track we’ll race at this season at just under half a mile.” Current point leader Jason Beaulieu finished second at Rocky Mountain Raceway Park and third at Bridge County Raceway last year. “You have to be on the ball to run at both of these tracks,” indicates the Campbell River, BC driver, “Okotoks and Lethbridge are both so different to run at. We’re looking to have a good run this weekend.” Defending NPP Series Champion Dwight Kennedy is looking forward to the trip south also. “We had good luck in both Okotoks and Lethbridge last year,” smiles the Edson Alberta driver, “we won both races! So I hope the trend continues when we race there again this weekend.” The Edson, Alberta driver has won two out of the last three Feature events in Edmonton and finds himself running second in the NPP points chase. Kevin Wheeler has different reasons why he’s for looking forward to the southern Alberta swing. “Four DNF’s in a row at Castrol Raceway has been brutal,” sigh’s the Whitecourt, Alberta driver, “since our second place showing in Drumheller (season opener) we have been dropping back quick in the standings (now 12th). The team is really looking forward to getting out of town. Heading to Lethbridge and Okotoks this weekend and Rimbey next weekend, hopefully we can capture a Feature win at one of those tracks. Actually, just finishing a Feature race would probably be even better.” Ken Clark meanwhile just loves to get out and race. The Edson, Alberta driver is coming off one of his best weekends in three seasons with the series. “Finishing fourth in Edmonton on Friday and Saturday night (last weekend) felt pretty good. We’re not a high budget team. Whatever is dealt to us we take it. Win or lose we are having fun in this series.” Clark, who finished just out of the top 10 in Series points last season, currently sits 8th and could find himself in the top 5 with a strong weekend in southern Alberta.