EDMONTON, AB – The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series has released its tentative schedule for the 2014 race season. “This is not the finalized schedule,” admits NPP Late Model Series announcer Gord Craig, “but it’s very close. There could be some dates added but I’m betting we’ll have some some date deletions before all is said and done.” If the weather cooperates, the NPP Late Model Series will see its season begin at Castrol Raceway on Saturday, May 10th. “This will be the fifth consecutive season that Edmonton race fans will be watching the first race event of the NPP Series Season Championship points chase.”

One of the big holes to fill are race dates for Southern Alberta. “The closure of Bridge County Raceway (after 2011 season) was a kick to the gut,” sighs Craig, “the track is still for sale and I have heard absolutely nothing new regarding prospective buyers of this facility.” Dinosaur Downs Speedway has done its best in picking up the slack after the closure of the Lethbridge track but its only able to run a handful of races a season due to limited resources. “We tried to race there (Drumheller, Alberta) last year but the Southern Alberta floods wiped out our weekend.” Dinosaur Downs Raceway also saw a significant management shakeup after their season wrapped up. “This track has a lot of potential. If it works out, we hope to run the Canada Day long weekend in Drumheller this season.”

The month of August sees the annual Gold Cup event and the second annual Race of Champions on the 2014 schedule in Edmonton. “What more can be said about the inaugural Race of Champions event. It easily was the highlight of last season. As of right now it’s back again for this season.” Last year’s Race of Champions event featured NASCAR drivers Michael Waltrip, Ken Schrader, Dave Blaney and Sterling Marlin in the NPP Late Model Series driver lineup. “This year’s Race of Champions will be held on Wednesday, July 30th. At this point we are not at liberty to say who’s going to be getting behind the wheel of a NPP Late Model.”

For the past two seasons the NPP Late Model Series has crowned its champion at Flatlanders Speedway in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. In 2014, NPP Late Model Series officials are leaning towards having Central Alberta Raceways in Rimbey, Alberta host the season championship event for the first time. There is also a slim chance that Merritt Speedway in Merrit, British Columbia could play host to the final race weekend of the season for NPP Late Model Series race teams.

TENTATIVE 2014 SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 10th – Edmonton, Alberta
Saturday, May 23rd – (Long Weekend)
Sunday, May 24th – (Long Weekend)
Saturday, May 31st – Rimbey, Alberta
Saturday, June 7th – Edmonton, Alberta
Saturday, June 28 – Drumheller, Alberta**
Sunday, June 29 – Drumheller, Alberta**
Friday, July 18th – Edmonton, Alberta (2014 Gold Cup)
Saturday, July 19th – Edmonton, Alberta (2014 Gold Cup)
Wednesday, July 30th – Edmonton, Alberta (Race of Champions)
Friday, August 15th – Edmonton, Alberta (2014 Extreme Cup)
Saturday, August 16th – Edmonton, Alberta** (2014 Extreme Cup)
Saturday, August 30th – Kindersley, Saskatchewan
Sunday, August 31st – Kindersley, Saskatchewan
Saturday, September 13th – Edmonton or Rimbey, Alberta
Saturday, October 11 – Merritt, British Columbia**
Sunday, October 12 – Merritt, British Columbia**

**extremely tentative!!!!