STONY PLAIN, AB. – The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series will be without its defending season champion at the final race weekend of the year.  With just two races remaining in the 2012 season, Mike Tom has announced he is leaving the Series effective immediately and won’t be making the trip to Kindersley, Saskatchewan.  The Stony Plain, Alberta driver made the announcement Tuesday afternoon on an Edmonton racing forum [seanmoran.net].  When contacted by NPP Series officials, Tom indicated that the ‘fun’ factor of racing for him was gone.  “Our goal was to compete at the top level of racing [in Western Canada] and win at least one championship and we accomplished that [last year].”  Back in 2004 Tom finished fifth in his Rookie season with the NPP Late Model Series.  In 2005 and 2010 Tom finished second in the NPP Series Championship point standings.  Tom finished third in 2008.  “We are in the early stages of deciding what we are going to do next,” says Tom, “but we want to do more racing in Edmonton. More than we are doing now.”

TOM WON 5 OF THE LAST 9 NPP SERIES FEATURE EVENTS IN EDMONTON

All of Tom’s nine NPP Series Feature event wins have come in Edmonton.  Five of those victories were registered in the 2010 and 2011 seasons.  Tom has two Qualifying Heat wins this season but a visit to victory lane has eluded him in 2012.  His best Feature finish this season came on July 20th also in Edmonton.  Tom currently sits in a three-way tie for second in the NPP Late Model Series Championship point standings.  Several competitors have chimed in on Tom’s sudden departure from the Series.  “It’s sad to see him go,” says Kevin Clark, driver of the Clark Construction #5 Dodge, “he’s a great racer but we go through a phase every once in a while where you have to step away and re-group.  I’ve been there.  I can empathize with him on this.”  Clark won the NPP Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2006.  In 2007 Clark finished third in the NPP Series points race.  “The pressure I put on myself to win was crazy.  It wasn’t worth it.  I wasn’t having fun anymore so I had to step away from racing for a bit.”

CLARK AND TOM FINISHED 1 AND 2 AT THE JULY 20TH FEATURE IN EDMONTON (photo: Tarra Sahlin)

Clark has run a limited scheduled the last two seasons and has registered two Feature wins during this time including a trip to victory lane back on July 20th. “Racing is supposed to be fun. This is what we do after working all week. It’s not easy but if you can focus on the fun aspect of racing instead of winning all the time, racing can be fun again and the wins will come.” The final race weekend of the 2012 season sees Kevin Wheeler and Dwight Kennedy tied with Tom for second in the NPP Series Championship points chase. “Racing is supposed to get rid of stress and not add to it,” says Wheeler, “I completely understand Mikes decision here, I wouldn’t do it either if I wasn’t having fun. It’s a lot of money and a lot of time.” Wheeler’s last trip to victory lane was September 1st, 2008 (Elma, Washington). The driver of the KW Mechanical/Bill Weins Trucking #3 Dodge has finished on the podium four times season with one second and three third’s. “The fun factor for me is still here,” adds the Whitecourt, Alberta driver, “it was great racing against Mike over the years. I wish him all the best. Who knows, maybe he will be back.”

WHEELER AND KENNEDY TIED FOR SECOND WITH TOM IN POINTS CHASE

Two-time NPP Late Model Series Champion Dwight Kennedy probably has the longest on-track racing experience with Tom than all current NPP Series competitors combined.  “Mike has always been an intense competitor since day one,” says Kennedy, “he wants to win so bad.  I’ll give him that.  Back when we raced in Hinton [Yellowhead Speedway – late 1990’s] Mike was right there every race.”  When Kennedy and a small group of NPP Late Model race teams made their official debut in Edmonton in August of 1999, Tom raced his Street Stock against the group.  “I know Mike and I have had our run-ins on the track over the years but I do wish he and his dad [Alan] well where ever they end up.  Racing is supposed to be fun.  Maybe the time away will be good for him.  I took some time away from the track a few years ago to re-group and think things through.  I’m glad I did.”  Kennedy drove to victory lane in Edmonton last Saturday for the first time since August of 2008.  “The door is always open if Tom wants to return next season.”

2012 NPP Series Rookie of the Year contender Mike Dunn was disappointed when he heard the news about Tom’s departure.  “Mike and Allen took me under their wing this year [for my rookie season],” says the New Sarepta, Alberta driver, “definitely going to miss them when we race in Saskatchewan that’s for sure.”  Dunn is the president of Enerbuilt Technologies in Nisku and has sponsored Tom’s race car for several seasons.  “I originally got involved with the Series through Mike.”  Dunn could clinch the Rookie of the Year honors at Flatlanders Speedway with a top 10 finish on the first night of the two day show.