RIMBEY, AB – Central Alberta Raceways, celebrating its 10th season of operation, hosts the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series championship weekend for the very first time. Western Canada’s toughest, most competitive racing Series ‘on the dirt’, touches down in Rimbey, Alberta on Saturday and Sunday, September 20th and 21st. “Just two race dates left on our schedule,” says NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “right now it’s anyone’s guess who takes this year’s championship.” Just 40 points separates the top 5 drivers in the NPP Series Championship point standings. “This is how a race season should be. Close competition with drama both on and off the race track. We’ve had three different point leaders this season. There will be a lot of nail biting when we get to Rimbey this weekend.” Mark Miller leads the extremely tight 2014 NPP Series Championship points chase.

The Calgary, Alberta driver has a 10 point lead over defending and two-time NPP Series Champion Kevin Wheeler from Whitecourt, Alberta. “When I raced pavement I was never this far up in the standings,” admits Miller, “it would be wicked if we can win this. I know it’s going to be a tough battle that’s for sure.” Team Miller took advantage of an open test ‘n’ tune at Central Alberta Raceways back in July. “Unfortunately we didn’t gain much information from having our car there,” says Miller, “from the little track time we had [in Rimbey], I know that figuring out car set up is going to be huge. Anything can happen in a two-day show.” Saturday’s event will be a night-time race under the lights. Championship Sunday will be an afternoon race which could play into Kevin Wheeler’s favor. “I’m hoping the track will dry out,” exclaims Wheeler, “if it does, look out!” Wheeler has the opportunity to become just the second driver in NPP Series history to win three consecutive championships. “I’m not cutting anyone any slack at all this weekend especially the point leader [Mark Miller].” Wheeler’s best ever Feature finish at Central Alberta Raceways was third back in 2012. “I have to drive smart this weekend.”

Two-time NPP Series Champion Dwight Kennedy sits third in the standings just 22 points back of Wheeler. “I haven’t had much time to think about racing since it’s so busy here at work [Northern Provincial Pipelines Ltd.]. Definitely looking forward to getting back to the track this weekend so I can put a couple drivers behind me in the standings.” The Edson, Alberta driver has not been this close to a NPP Series championship since the 2008 season where he finished second. Kennedy won the first ever NPP Series Feature at Central Alberta Raceway back in 2005. “It’s tough to win a championship in this Series but racing is not supposed to be easy.” Kennedy and Wheeler took turns earlier this season leading the NPP Series Championship points standings. Wayne Wheeler (Whitecourt, Alberta), last season’s NPP Series Rookie of the Year, sits fourth in points just 3 points back of Kennedy. Bruce Broughton (Stony Plain, Alberta), the 2010 NPP Series Champion, is fifth in points, only 5 points back of Wayne Wheeler. NPP Series announcer Craig points out that the top five drivers are glancing over their shoulders heading into the last weekend of racing. “You can’t ignore drivers that are sitting just outside of the top 5. Any mistakes in Rimbey this weekend could cost you the season championship.” Dean Deatherage (Whitecourt, Alberta), Jay Carr (Devon, Alberta), Crystal Kennedy (Edson, Alberta), Darrell Midgley (Sidney, British Columbia) and Shawn Kennedy (Edson, Alberta), still have a mathematical chance at climbing to the top in the standings. Before the 2014 season began, the NPP Late Model Series adjusted its point structure. “Our goal [with the point structure change] was to create a tighter points chase. We’ve definitely accomplished that.”

>SATURDAY, September 20th – racing at 6:00pm
>SUNDAY, September 21st – racing at 2:00pm

Classes competing:
NPP Late Model Series
Sportsman Sprint Cars
Hobby & Mini Stocks

Spectator Admission (set by track):
$10.00 General
$ 5.00 Youth (age 9 – 12)
FREE (age 8 and under)