BLACK CREEK/VALEMOUNT, BC – Team NPP competed at two British Columbia race tracks on the Labor Day long weekend.  On Saturday evening, Darrell Midgley raced at Saratoga Speedway and the Reg Midgley Canada 200.  Josh Shuflada was racing in the SS Brushing Invitational at Rocky Mountain Raceway Park on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Heading into his race weekend Darrell Midgley admitted that Saratoga Speedway has not been ‘kind’ to him in the few times he’s run at the Black Rock, British Columbia facility.  In Friday night qualifying Midgley was 9th quick (out of 18 cars) in the Northern Provincial Pipelines #81 Dodge.  At the drop of the green on Saturday, Midgley found himself gaining track position in the Canada 200.  He also found himself in the lead.  “I led 24 laps Saturday,” exclaims Midgley, “we were running pretty good.”  Midgley was running 8th at the halfway point of the race. The Sidney, British Columbia driver was preparing to make another push to the front.  Unfortunately his race car had other ideas.

“We were 50-laps from the end and told to head to the pits.”  Fuel began pouring out the back of the car.  “The fuel was shooting straight out the back.  Apparently it was like a water hose it was coming out so fast.  Something like this has never happened before.”  Midgley retired from the race.  Instead of a potential top-5 OR podium finish, Midgley didn’t even finish in the top-10.  He admits he doesn’t even know where he finished the Canada 200.  “I didn’t even look.  I probably finished fourteenth or fifteenth.  It’s disappointing for sure.”
— Official results have not been released as of Monday, September 2nd —
UPDATE: Midgley officially finishes 13th in the 2024 Canada 200.

Josh Shuflada was looking to continue his amazing performance streak at the SS Brushing Invitational in Valemount, British Columbia Saturday & Sunday, August 31st and September 1st.  The Edson, Alberta driver won back-to-back Features at his last Rocky Mountain Speedway appearance back in July.  The race weekend couldn’t have started off any better for him.  Shuflada kicked off Saturday with a win in the Dash race.  Unfortunately the Saturday afternoon Heat race did not go as well.  Just four-laps in the Northern Provincial Pipelines/RCE #81 Dodge limped into the pits.  A spline broke in the rear end his race car. Shuflada did not start the Saturday afternoon Feature registering his first ever DNS.

With repairs completed Saturday evening, Shuflada and crew were ready for Sunday.  Hot sunny weather dried out the racing surface in Valemount.  The track was dusty but smooth.  Shuflada finished second in both his Dash and Heat Race.  He dominated the Sunday afternoon Feature taking the checkered flag.  “I had to adjust to the track conditions and it all worked out in the end.”  There was some concern that the extra tire spin would put a strain on the Saturday nights car repairs.  “We MacGyvered it (rear end) so we could race on Sunday,” admits Shuflada, “thankfully it held together.”  Shuflada now prepares for his second back-to-back race weekend of 2024.  He and his crew will compete at Clearwater Speedway on Saturday and Sunday, September 7th and 8th.