LETHBRIDGE, AB. – The $100, 000 Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series touched down at Bridge County Raceway in Lethbridge, Alberta on Saturday night.  A total of 18 race teams made the trek to southern Alberta.  Local newspaper coverage suggested the evening would come down to a battle between two of the series heavy weights.  The newspaper was right.  Current point leader Trevor Emond had his winning streak snapped at two as Dwight Kennedy won his first Feature event of the season.  “The car is working good” says the Edson, Alberta driver, “I hope to keep it that way for the rest of the season.”  Kennedy, who drove his Dodge Charger to victory lane, adds the win is especially nice because the entire race event was sponsored by Bridge City Chrysler.  “I told Clarence (dealership owner) that because a Dodge won, I’m going to ask for twice the prize money for next years race.”  The big win, pushes Kennedy up two spots in the standings to number two.  Even though the streak is over, current point leader Trevor Emond still managed an incredible second place showing behind Kennedy.  “We didn’t quite have the run we wanted tonight.” says the Leduc Alberta driver, “the track was still fast even though it was a little dry and dusty for the feature.  If it had stayed tacky and held the moisture they’re might have been a different outcome tonight.”  Third place in the Feature went to a competitor that hadn’t been behind the wheel of an NPP Late Model in almost a year.  “It was a bit of a struggle early trying to get the car to where we wanted it.” says Jason Beaulieu of Campbell River, BC, “it was tough but we got it together and got a good solid third place finish.”  Race action on the big 1/2 mile Oval was fast.  There were a few minor on track incidents but not the mayhem that occurred at last Saturday night at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway. One driver noticeably missing from the Lethbridge race was Salmon Arm BC’s Mike Tom.  His car was written off in the Edmonton melee.

NPP Race teams now have a two week break to prepare for the most grueling part of the 2006 season.  Teams will compete at three consecutive back to back race weekends.  Drayton Valley Alberta’s Rapid Fire Motorsports Park plays host to the NPP Late Model Series on June 17th and 18th.  The Canada Day weekend (July 1/2) features the Oilmens Invitational at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway.  July 14th and 15th the NPP Late Model series races once again in Edmonton.