EDMONTON, AB – The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series kicks off its 15th consecutive season tonight in Edmonton, Alberta. This is the 5th consecutive year that Castrol Raceway has hosted the season opener of the NPP Late Model Series. Since 2001 the NPP Series has seen 9 different drivers win the first race of the season. Defending NPP Series champion Mark Miller would like to be the 10th. “This is a tough series,” says the Calgary, Alberta driver, “bringing the car home in one piece [at all races] is huge.” Miller realizes there is a big target on his back this year courtesy last years championship. “We’ve never been in this position before. Last year was our first ever season championship.” At just 27 years of age, Miller is the youngest champion in NPP Series history. Miller had an average Feature finish of 5.6 in 2014. Before joining the NPP Late Model Series in 2013, Miller spent close to a decade running Late Models and Legends Cars at select Canadian and American tracks. Miller finished 3rd at last year’s season opener.

Darrell Midgley, the 2009 NPP Late Model Series Champion, knows the importance of winning the season opener. “You need a strong start in this series. You can’t afford to fall behind early in the point standings.” Midgley is one of six drivers that won the NPP Series season opener and season championship in the same year. “There is some good competition here and you have to be on your game to win.” Midgley finished 4th at last year’s season opener. He enters the 2015 race season riding a two-race winning streak. The Sidney, British Columbia driver won back to back Features at the last race weekend of the 2014 season at Rimbey’s Central Alberta Raceways. “I had never won a Feature in Rimbey before. I know it’s been a while since I’ve won a race in Edmonton.” Midgley last won a Feature at Castrol Raceway back on July 11, 2009. “This is another drought I’d like to see come to an end.”

NPP SERIES SEASON OPENING WINNERS
2015 ????
2014 Kevin Wheeler
2013 Kevin Wheeler**
2012 Chris Beaulieu
2011 Mike Tom**
2010 Bruce Broughton**
2009 Darrell Midgley**
2008 Dwight Kennedy
2007 Jason Beaulieu**
2006 Trevor Emond
2005 Jason Beaulieu
2004 Trevor Emond**
2003 Feature cancelled – snow (heats completed)
2002 Larry Simpson
2001 Larry Simpson

** also won season championship in same year