EDMONTON, AB – The very first Oilmen’s Invitational race was competed at Yellowhead Speedway near Hinton, Alberta back in 1994. Two drivers that currently race in the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series can proudly say that they were at that inaugural Oilmen’s event 16 years ago. Edson, Alberta’s Dwight Kennedy drove to victory lane in his #81 Dodge Hobby Stock race car. Ken Clark finished in the top 10 in his #78 Camaro Hobby Stock.

NPP Late Models, which evolved from the Hobby Stock class in the late 1990’s, made their debut at the 1998 Oilmen’s Invitational. Three seasons later, the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series was formed. Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway has been home to the annual Oilmen’s Invitational since then. “This will be the ninth year in a row the Oilmen’s has been run in Edmonton,” indicates Kennedy, “haven’t missed one event yet going back to when the Oilmen’s was in Hinton.” Kennedy is the defending Oilmen’s champion and currently sits 5th in NPP Late Model Series championship points.

“We grabbed a win on night number two of the Oilmen’s last year so we’d like to do it again this year.” Kennedy, who has been chasing handling problems this season, has won four of the last six Oilmen’s Features (Saturday/Sunday) dating back to 2006. Ken Clark meanwhile is choosing to forget the past several Oilmen’s Invitational events. “We blew motors in back to back races last year,” says the driver of the Edson Sign’s #78 Chevrolet, “we crashed out several years ago. It’s been a real struggle the last few years that’s for sure.”

Clark has had numerous top ten finishes and several top fives in past Oilmens dating back to 1994. “Dwight and I have had some pretty good battles on the track over the years. This is a tough race to win.” Clark enters race action 12th in the NPP Championship point chase. “I need a solid weekend to get back into the top 10.” The Oilmen’s Invitational weekend, which features 50 lap main events both nights, kicks off the last half of the 2009 race season for the stars of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series. Sidney, British Columbia’s Darrell Midlgey leads the 2009 NPP Series Championship point’s chase in his Lucas Oil #14 Dodge.

16th annual OILMEN’S INVITATIONAL
> Saturday & Sunday August 1st / 2nd
Pit Gates @ 2PM
Spectator Gates @ 4PM
Racing @ 6PM

CASTROL RACEWAY ADMISSION
Adults $10.00
Youth (6 – 12) $5.00
Seniors $5.00
Children (under 5) FREE

OILMEN’S INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONS
2008    Dwight Kennedy
2007    Dennis MacEachern
2006    Dwight Kennedy
2005    Wayne Gideon
2004    Dwight Kennedy
2003    Trevor Emond
2002    Trevor Emond
2001    Dwight Kennedy
2000    Larry Simpson
1999    Dwight Kennedy

OILMENS INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONS (Classic**)
1998 Dwight Kennedy
1997 Dwight Kennedy
1996 Dwight Kennedy
1995 Dwight Kennedy
1994 Dwight Kennedy

**classic Oilmen’s Invitational races featured Hobby Stocks