EDMONTON, AB (July 22) – Darrell Midgley not only leads the 2015 Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series point standings, he also leads all drivers in bonus points earned this season. NPP Series bonus points are awarded for positions gained in all Dash races and for laps lead in Feature events. With four consecutive Feature wins and strong performances in Dash races, Midgley has a 62 point lead over defending season champion Mark Miller.

Take away Midgley’s bonus points in 2015 and the Sidney, British Columbia drivers points lead shrinks to just 32 points. “You can never have too big of a point lead,” says the 2009 NPP Series Champion, “when you start at the back [in the Dash] you’ve got to pass as many guys as you can to get those extra points.” Midgley is the only driver to earn bonus points at every event this season. He has earned 30 Bonus points so far, with 22 of those points coming from positions gained in Dash races. “I just want to keep racing for the wins. If we keep finishing up near the front the points take care of themselves.”

Mark Miller, the defending season champion currently sits second in the NPP Series Championship points standings. “I wish the points race was a little bit tighter. It should be a little bit tighter but it isn’t.” The driver of the A1 Autobody #69 Chevrolet has spent much of the season in catch-up mode. “We had a good car at the first race of the year but unfortunately we had to pull into the pits due to overheating.” Thanks to three consecutive second place finishes in Feature events, the Calgary, Alberta driver has moved from seventh to second in the standings. “The top finishes are nice,” adds Miller, “hopefully at the next race we will be able to switch rolls.”

Miller realizes that grabbing all available points at the remaining races is crucial. “The bonus points is where we can make up a lot of ground on Darrell.” Miller has earned just 6 Bonus points this season. “We have to step up our game.” Next race for the NPP Late Model Series is August 21st and 22nd at Central Alberta Raceways in Rimbey.

2015 NPP SERIES EARNED BONUS POINTS
30 – #14 Darrell Midgley – Sidney, BC
8 – #18 Dean Deatherage – Beaumont, AB
6 – #61 Bruce Broughton – Stony Plain, AB
6 – #69 Mark Miller – Calgary, AB
4 – #81 Dwight Kennedy – Edson, AB
2 – #2 Marc Hobe’ – Sylvan Lake, AB
2 – #33 Jay Carr – Devon, AB

DASH BONUS – 2 points for every position gained
FEATURE BONUS – 1 point for leading a lap / 1 point for leading the most laps