BC DRIVERS DOMINATE SEASON OPENING WEEKEND
LETHBRIDGE, AB – The 2009 NPP Late Model Series kicked off its 9th incredible season at Bridge County Raceway in Lethbridge, Alberta with back to back races Saturday and Sunday night (May 23rd and 24th). Finishing at the top of the leaderboard at the Lucas Oil Slick Mist Season Opener both nights were two NPP Series regulars from British Columbia. Sidney BC’s Darrell Midgley ended a lengthy winless streak by taking the checkered flag Saturday night while Campbell River BC’s Jason Beaulieu would win the Sunday night feature. “Getting a win in this series is extremely tough,” says Midgley, who's only other NPP Feature win came back on July 14th, 2006. “It’s sure been a while since I've been able to hold that checkered flag. This was well earned that’s for sure considering what happened to us early in the race tonight (Saturday).” Midgley started on the outside of the front row but got out of the racing groove in his #14 Lucas Oil Dodge and dropped back to 11th before the first lap was even completed. “It was a frustrating feeling seeing all the cars go by me but what can you do.” Midgley would spend the rest of the Feature battling his way back to the front. With less than 6 laps remaining Midgley would take over the lead from pole sitter Kevin Clark and drive on to victory.
For BC’s Jason Beaulieu, Sunday’s night’s victory was his fourth win in seven appearances at Bridge County Raceway (16 Feature wins total). “You sure do have to be patient here,” says Beaulieu, “if you overdrive the track you are in for a long frustrating night.” Ironically, Beaulieu spun twice during racing action Saturday night. “Many times gaining positions will come to you but only if your patient.” That was certainly the case Sunday night. Beaulieu, who was running second for 20 straight laps, inherited the lead with 10 laps to go after pole sitter and race leader Kevin Clark brushed the front straight wall. Clark, who finished third on Saturday night, would be forced to pit and was credited with an 11th place finish. Beaulieu’s victory Sunday night, in his #46 Lucas Oil Dodge, moved him into first place in the NPP Championship point’s chase. “We’ve got a couple weeks off now to prepare for back to back races in Edmonton and Rimbey.”
NPP SERIES PIT BITS
- Chris Beaulieu, son of Jason Beaulieu won his first Feature in an IMCA Modified Sunday night then finished fourth in an NPP Late Model.
- Sidney BC’s Darrell Midgley, backed up Saturday night’s Feature win with a 3rd place finish on Sunday.
- For the second year in a row, the pole sitter did not win a Feature event on NPP season opening weekend.
- Only 6 of 17 NPP Features competed in 2008 were won from the pole position. (0 for 2 in 2009)
- Brian McCaughan was black flagged from Saturdays Feature race due to rough driving. To make matters worse, McCaughans race car then failed a chassis inspection.
- Edson, Alberta’s Crystal Kennedy had her first top 5 finish in an NPP Feature event Sunday night.
RESULTS
BRIDGE COUNTY RACEWAY
LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA
NIGHT #1: Saturday, May 16th
Heat 1: #35 Darin Borysko
Heat 2: #46 Jason Beaulieu
‘B’ DASH: # 71 Trevor Emond
‘A’ DASH: # 5 Kevin Clark
FEATURE
1.(2) #14 Darrell Midgley; Sidney, BC
2.(4) #12 Rod Wilde; Whitecourt, Alberta
3.(1) # 5 Kevin Clark; Altario, Alberta
4.(7) #46 Jason Beaulieu; Campbell River, BC
5.(9) #17 Trevor Emond; Leduc, Alberta
6.(3) #81 Dwight Kennedy; Edson, Alberta
7.(11)#55 Mike Tom; Stony Plain, Alberta
8.(13)#78 Ken Clark; Edson, Alberta
9.(12)#01 Chris Beaulieu; Campbell River, BC
10.(6)#88 Crystal Kennedy; Edson, Alberta
11.(5)# 8 Pat Fines; Whitecourt, Alberta
12.(15)# 7 Shawn Kennedy; Edson, Alberta
13.(16)#80 Curtis Moore; Sherwood Park, Alberta
14.(14)#00 Blair Snow(R); Calgary, Alberta
DQ(10)# 3 Kevin Wheeler; Whitecourt, Alberta (rough driving)
DQ(
#42 Brian McCaughan; Okotoks, Alberta (rough driving)
DNS #35 Darin Borysko; Edson, Alberta (electrical)
>NIGHT #2: Sunday, May 17th
Heat 1: # 3 Kevin Wheeler
Heat 2: # 80 Curtis Moore
‘B’ DASH: #14 Darrell Midgley
‘A’ DASH: # 5 Kevin Clark
FEATURE
1.(2) #46 Jason Beaulieu; Campbell River, BC
2.(12)#55 Mike Tom; Stony Plain, Alberta
3.(9) #14 Darrell Midgley; Sidney, BC
4.(11)#01 Chris Beaulieu; Campbell River, BC
5. (13) #88 Crystal Kennedy; Edson, Alberta
6. (10)# 7 Shawn Kennedy; Edson, Alberta
7. (
#35 Darin Borysko; Edson, Alberta
8. (14) #81 Dwight Kennedy; Edson, Alberta
9. (16)#17 Trevor Emond; Leduc, Alberta
10. (4) # 8 Pat Fines; Whitecourt, Alberta
11.(1) # 5 Kevin Clark; Altario, Alberta (crash)
12. (15) #00 Blair Snow(R); Calgary, Alberta
13. (7) #80 Curtis Moore; Sherwood Park, Alberta (overheating)
14. (5) # 3 Kevin Wheeler; Whitecourt, Alberta (crash)
15. (6)#78 Ken Clark; Edson, Alberta (crash)
DQ (3) #12 Rod Wilde; Whitecourt, Alberta (rough driving)
Darrell Midgley – Feature Winner (Saturday night)
Jason Beaulieu – Feature Winner (Sunday night)
POINTS
as of Tuesday, May 19th
1. #46 Jason Beaulieu; Campbell River, BC 390
2. #14 Darrell Midgley; Sidney, BC 388
3. #55 Mike Tom; Stony Plain, Alberta 352
4. # 5 Kevin Clark; Altario, Alberta 349
5. #81 Dwight Kennedy; Edson, Alberta 331
6. #01 Chris Beaulieu; Campbell River, BC 322
7. #88 Crystal Kennedy; Edson, Alberta 320
8. #17 Trevor Emond; Leduc, Alberta 315
9. # 8 Pat Fines; Whitecourt, Alberta 310
10.# 7 Shawn Kennedy; Edson, AB 301
11.#78 Ken Clark; Edson, Alberta 291
12.#80 Curtis Moore; Sherwood Park, AB 278
13.#00 Blair Snow(R); Calgary, AB 256
14.#12 Rod Wilde; Whitecourt, Alberta 226
15.#35 Darin Borysko; Edson, Alberta 214
16.# 3 Kevin Wheeler; Whitecourt, Alberta 163
17.#42 Brian McCaughan(R); Okotoks, AB 15
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