EDMONTON, AB – Central Alberta Raceways, already the host track for the 2014 Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series championship weekend in September, will now host the 2014 season opener in just a few weeks time. “The original plan was to hold our season opener in Edmonton on May 10th,” explains NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “that won’t be happening now. This date will now be used for teams that would like to test ‘n’ tune their race cars. Our season opener will now take place on May 31st.”

The Rimbey, Alberta facility, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary season in 2014, last hosted a NPP Late Model Series season opening race back in 2006. The finger of blame for the season opening ‘adjustment’ is pointed directly at the weather. Due to wet facility conditions, the Edmonton test ‘n’ tune, originally scheduled for April 26th, was cancelled by track officials. “Several of our teams still wanted a test ‘n’ tune session before the race season began,” explains Craig, “there were some teams however that said we don’t need any testing, let’s just go racing.” This is not the first time that the original season opening date has been shuffled around courtesy the weather. “Since 2001 we have had only five season opening races completed as scheduled. Just five!!” Craig says official records of the NPP Late Model Series paint a grim picture when it comes to season openers. “Weather conditions cancelled six consecutive season openers (2006 – 2011). For a majority of those seasons the test ‘n’ tune date was not affected by the weather.” At this point, it is not known how many NPP Series teams will take advantage of the track time at Castrol Raceway on May 10th. “The test ‘n’ tune is being made available for those teams that wanted it.” For many it will be a last minute decision whether or not to make the trip to Edmonton for an opportunity to shake off the winter cobwebs.

2014 NPP LATE MODEL SERIES SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 26th Edmonton, Alberta (test ‘n’ tune)
Saturday, May 10th – Edmonton, Alberta (test ‘n’ tune – take 2)
Saturday, May 31st – Rimbey, Alberta
Saturday, June 7th – Edmonton, Alberta
Saturday, June 28th – Sangudo, Alberta
Sunday, June 29th – Sangudo, Alberta
Friday, July 18th – Edmonton, Alberta (Gold Cup)
Saturday, July 19th – Edmonton, Alberta (Gold Cup)
Wednesday, July 30th – Edmonton, Alberta (Race of Champions)
Saturday, Sept. 20th – Rimbey, Alberta
Sunday, Sept. 21st – Rimbey, Alberta