EDMONTON, AB. – In a race season that has been filled with both action and drama, the stage is set for the September long weekend 2012 season finale of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series.  That racing stage is located just west of Kindersley, Saskatchewan at Flatlanders Speedway.  The triangle configuration of the Saskatchewan track is one of the most unique clay/dirt race tracks in all of Western Canada.  “I’m not sure what to expect,” says Whitecourt, Alberta’s Kevin Wheeler, “I’m going to have to feel the track out.”  This is the first time that Flatlanders Speedway has hosted the NPP Late Model Series.  “It’s fairly flat from what I understand.  With both races in the day the track will go dry and that could play into my favor.”

WHEELER IS JUST 42 POINTS OUT OF TOP SPOT IN THE STANDINGS (photo: Tarra Sahlin)

Wheeler, also known as the ‘Dry Slick Lunatic’, sits tied for second in the NPP Series Championship point standings in his Bill Weins Trucking/KW Mechanical #3 Dodge.  “Anything can happen [at a two day show].  One of my biggest priorities this weekend is getting a checkered flag.”  Wheelers last Feature win was at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington on September 1st, 2008. “I need two solid races this weekend.”  Wheeler sits just 43 points behind leader Chris Beaulieu of Campbell River, British Columbia.  Not including passing points in the ‘A’ and ‘B’ Dashes, a total of 420 Championship points are on the table for NPP Series competitors this Saturday and Sunday.

BORYSKO HAS MOVED FROM 7th TO 3rd IN POINTS (photo: Tarra Sahlin)

Edson, Alberta’s Darin Borysko has quietly been moving up in the standings since July.  At one point the driver of the All Weather Window’s/Habitat for Humanity #35 Dodge sat 7th in the NPP Series Championship points chase.  With an average Feature finish of 3.3 the last three NPP Series events, Borysko has moved into third in the overall standings.  Like Wheeler, Borysko realizes that this upcoming two day show at Flatlanders Speedway will make or break his season.  “Patience will be the key this weekend.  We were patient in Merritt and kept out of trouble and we finished well both nights.  Jim [Mears], my crew chief, has been excellent at reading the all tracks we’ve raced at this season.  Our second place in Edmonton [August 18th] was just plain hard work from everyone.”  Borysko finished third in the 2011 NPP Series Championship point standings.  “We started this season aiming for a podium finish.  Thanks to my crew we are third in points right now.  It’s a fine balance of risk taking and holding firm.  Knowing when to step out and take a chance and knowing when to hold your line.  Keeping out of trouble will be very important at an unfamiliar track.”  Borysko is just 26 points back of second place in the NPP Championship point standings and 68 points behind the leader.  “Using your head on the track will determine a lot this weekend as well.” Finishing the race will be just as important as winning the race for many NPP Series teams this weekend in Saskatchewan.

INAUGURAL NPP SERIES FEATURE WINNERS
2001 Edmonton – Dwight Kennedy
2005 Okotoks – Gerry Emond
2005 Rimbey – Dwight Kennedy
2006 Lethbridge – Dwight Kennedy
2006 Swift Current – Bruce Broughton
2006 Drayton Valley – Dwight Kennedy
2007 Drumheller – Jason Beaulieu
2008 Elma, Washington – Paul Grundberg
2012 Merritt, British Columbia – Trevor Emond
2012 Kindersley, Saskatchewan – ?????

NPP CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND
19th Annual OILMENS CLASSIC (Sunday)
FLATLANDERS SPEEDWAY – Kindersley, Saskatchewan
>Saturday, September 1st
Gates at 2:00pm
Racing starts at 4:00pm

>Sunday, September 2nd
Gates at Noon
Racing starts at 2:00pm