NPP Late Model Series: News and Notes

RACIN’ IN RIMBEY THIS WEEKEND
EDMONTON, AB – The last half of the season begins this weekend for race teams of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Ltd. Late Model Series. It’s also the only race of the season which starts in the afternoon and finishes in the early evening hours. “Reacting to changing track conditions will be crucial for race teams this Saturday,” indicates N.P.P. Series announcer Gord Craig, “drivers that adapt the quickest will be at the front when the checkered flag waves.” Adding to the pressure is the fact that this will be the final race of the season that all drivers in the points chase have a mathematical chance at winning the 2007 N.P.P. Series Championship. Defending Series Champion Dwight Kennedy (Edson, Alberta) knows he’s got to shine this weekend. “We had a tough weekend in Southern Alberta with a flat tire last Friday and a transmission going Saturday. We were leading both races when this happened.” Kennedy, who now sits fifth in the standings, had won two of three race events before the southern Alberta swing. Rookie driver Curtis Moore is looking forward to the race in Rimbey and the run for rookie of the year honors. “Time is running out for us to get back into the top ten,” says the Sherwood Park, Alberta driver, “we have had a little bit of problems here and there and that has allowed Rod Wilde and Paul Grundberg to sneak a head of us in the rookie race. We’ve got the car to do it and a good set up crew we intend to be there at the end.”

POINT LEADER BEAULIEU TO MISS RIMBEY RACE
EDMONTON, AB – The current N.P.P. Late Model Series point leader will not be racing at Central Alberta Raceway in Rimbey, Alberta this weekend. However, the All Weather Windows sponsored #46 which Jason Beaulieu normally drives will be on the track. “It was a tough decision,” indicates Beaulieu, “but I am racing my first ever dirt Modified Nationals event in Elma Washington this weekend. Brad Purdey will be filling in for me.” Purdey is an accomplished dirt racer from Port McNeill, BC but a little known driver to other N.P.P. Series race teams. “I wouldn’t put just anyone in my car,” says Beaulieu, “I don’t consider this a risk to my point lead at all. In fact it wouldn’t surprise me if he finished in the top five on Saturday night." Purdey is not taking this weekend’s race lightly. “Jason’s basically handed me the keys to his race car and the point lead and is saying go have some fun in my place. I know I will."

From Gord Craig

MERRITTVILLE: 4 MORE FINALISTS TO BE PICKED AS COUNTDOWN CONTINUES TO MERRITTVILLE’S BIGGEST EVENT OF THE SEASON

THOROLD, ON - Just ask Devin Habiult what an experience he had being Merrittville Speedway’s Grand Marshall when the Advance Auto Parts Big Block Super DIRTcar Series made it’s return to the Thorold D shaped oval last season.

If the Thorold resident has his way – you may be able to ask him how it went this year as well as Merrittville Speedway’s biggest event of the season is now 10 days away.

The former winner was one of the first eligible finalists picked back on CMH Leasing Night July 7th.

That’s if it isn’t Rie Hojo, Jason Blais, Bonney Davis, Keith Porter, Ashley Perrotti, Shani Bleich, the Petris Family or one of the final group of four that are selected during the excitement-laden Modern Corporation Night Saturday July 28th.

All 16 of the names will be entered into the draw to pick one name who will then become the 2007 Grand Marshall.

All through-out the month of July, Merrittville Speedway has conducted a search for the next Grand Marshall and the entry rules have been pretty simple – there’s no singing or dancing required … the finalists don’t get shipped off to some remote tropical island or anything like you see on TV – all you have to do is fill out a ballot that you will get at the Grandstand Ticket Office and put your completed ballot in the Novelty Trailer located just inside the front gate on Saturday July 28th.

Like those before them – the four finalists picked on the 28th will be given gift certificates redeemable for complimentary 2007 Merrittville Speedway T Shirts.

The final four will join the 12 earlier selected Merrittville Fans in a draw for a Dream Package that includes – 2 Tickets to the Toolneeds Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series 100 lap Trevor Wilkens Memorial Monday August 6th and 2 tickets to the best deal on Dirt – the Club Castropignano Pasta Dinner served up prior to race time behind the Turn 1 Grandstands.

And it doesn’t stop there – after dinner – Merrittville Speedway’s Grand Marshall will be outfitted in a Texaco Havoline Official Shirt for the night to get ready for the race night to come.

The Grand Marshall will assist in the front stretch activities including the draws for both the Hoosier Stock Duel on the Dirt Event as well as the Big block Redraw.

When the field is set and the capacity crowd is on the edge of their seats anticipating the 100 lap Main Event – it will be the Merrittville Speedway Grand Marshall that releases every race fan’s favorite words – GENTLEMEN START YOUR ENGINES!

Throughout the night, the Grand Marshall will also assist in Victory Lane Ceremonies and will be provided photos of the experience.

And it gets even better as once again, DIRT Motorsports will provide Merrittville Speedway’s Grand Marshall with 2 General Admission Combo Tickets for the biggest event of the season after Monday August 6th – Super DIRT week 2007 at the New York State Fairgrounds in October.

Merrittville Speedway’s Grand Marshall can look forward to enjoying the same Big Block Modifieds in the Rite Aid 200, the 150 lap 358 Modified Event and more.

So join us Saturday July 28th for your last chance to be Merrittville Speedway’s Big Block Grand Marshall – with Modern’s Truck Show ‘n Shine, the rescheduled Lucas Oil 358 Modified Shootout Jerry Winger Memorial, the Ed MacPherson Construction Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment Cub Cadet Clash, the L. St. Amand Enterprises Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee Wall of Fame Inductions, Vintage Cars and much more.

For Immediate Release - July 27, 2007 - From Jim Irvine - Merrittville Public Relations - 905-892-8266

Sorry, I Still Don’t Get It

Pfizer launched its first TV campaign for Exubera this past week in an attempt to breathe a little life into the stalled inhaled insulin brand. And with just $4 million in quarterly sales after 18 months on the market, Exubera needs all the help it can get.

But will the “Now I Get It” campaign be enough to put Exubera on a faster track? As we pointed out in an IN VIVO article in May, Exubera has some pretty major marketing hurdles: 1) it’s not clear that inhaled insulin is any more effective than the injectable stuff; and 2) there’s that pesky long-term pulmonary safety signal.

But perhaps the biggest hurdle is the size of the inhalation device. As big as a can of tennis balls, it’s not exactly something you’d like to whip out at a restaurant. Pfizer tries to dispel that notion in the commercial: a man is shown holding and closing the device while having a meal with a friend—but in such a way as to disguise the actual size of the thing.

The size problem isn’t new: as reported by The RPM Report, during FDA’s 2005 advisory committee review of Exubera, one panelist noted that despite the increase in “metrosexuals carrying purses,” the inconvenience of carrying the device may actually prevent patients from complying with their treatment regimen. Embarrassment also may be a factor: as the Pharma Marketing Blog points out, the inhaler looks like a large bong.

It’s also interesting to note that the commercial doesn’t ever discuss the convenience factor of inhaled insulin—in fact, the word “needle” is never uttered. But maybe that’s because for the majority of patients, inhaled insulin can’t replace injections. Instead, Pfizer sells Exubera as a treatment to help control blood sugar levels.

Inhaled insulin should be an easier sell, and with a number of other inhaled insulin products coming down the pike (all with smaller inhalation devices), Pfizer is running out of time. It’s a slick commercial, but it’s doubtful that the introduction of DTC ads for Exubera will help Pfizer overcome device envy.

But hey, don’t take our word for it: judge for yourself. To see a clip of the broadcast ad, click here, and tell us what you think.

Pierre Bourque Preps For NASCAR Truck Series Debut

Busch East Driver Will Enter Friday’s Event at O’Reilly Raceway Park

CONCORD, NC (July 26, 2007) – Pierre Bourque will take another step in his racing career this weekend when he enters his first career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. Bourque will drive the Andy Hillenburg-owned Fast Track Racing entry on Friday night at O’Reilly Raceway Park, in the shadows of Indianapolis, Indiana.

"I am absolutely thrilled to be attempting my NASCAR Craftsman debut this weekend at Indianapolis,” said Bourque. “I'm a huge fan of the series and I am really looking forward to the experience

"My sponsors DRIVING.CA, CANADA.COM, WORKING.COM, and DOSE.CA are on board and we are very much intrigued by where this Craftsman Truck race may lead us to next. The parent company CANWEST-GLOBAL, Canada's biggest media company, is very much interested in NASCAR and I am very proud to be working with them on this second season of our program."

The team that Bourque will drive for this weekend is a familar one to him.

"I am very happy to be racing with Andy Hillenburg's Fast Track team again. We did a lot of work together last year in the Busch East and ARCA series. We had a chance to shake down the truck this week and I expect us to qualify and make the most of the opportunity during the race."

Bourque will also have support from several other companies this weekend at ORP.

"We also have support this weekend from, IMMUNOTEC, makers of world-renowned health-promoting products. (http://www.immunotec.com, SONOMAX, a Canadian leader in the research, development, and manufacturing of intra-ear technologies, (http://www.sonomax.com) and Full Metal Minerals, one of Canada's most important junior minerals mining companies (http://www.fullmetalminerals.com)."

Race fans will now have a new tool to keep up with Bourque’s busy racing schedule. His new website, www.pierrebourque.net has been launched. The site features all kinds of news, results and background information on the Canadian race driver, as well as a number of multimedia goodies for race fans. Be sure to check Bourque’s new site out, as well as his primary sponsor’s website, Driving.ca.

“I am as passionate about motorsports as my primary sponsor Driving.ca is about motoring. Driving.ca is a fantastic website for people looking to research a new vehicle purchase, learn about the latest industry developments, or follow the very latest in racing. We're both all about passion, which makes Driving.ca and perfect match for me."

For more information on Pierre Bourque, please contact Mike Twist at (207) 590-1786 or (207) 499-2565 and be sure to check out the all-new PierreBourque.net

STOLEN: Ron Easton's Trailer and Canadian Vintage Modified racecar

From Mike Morrison:

"Ron Easton's trailer was stolen from his work's compound on Sunday night July 22/07. It is a 20 foot black enclosed trailer, checkered floor and a very large dent on the right side of the exterior! If you see it please call Ron at Home # 905-257-9479 Work # 905-469-8939."

Flashback Foto....

I guess one of the best things about being a national stock car champion and winning NASCAR races is that people will post old pictures of you when they come across them.... or not.

This picture was taken (by Dave Franks) on September 6, 1998 at Delaware Speedway Park .... back when the 'kid'... who is still a 'kid'... was really just a kid.

SUPPORT DIVISIONS HUGE PART IN BIGGEST EVENT OF YEAR AT MERRITTVILLE

Thorold, Ontario (July 26) There’s just 11 days now to Merrittville Speedway’s biggest event of the season Monday August 6th and like the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Race Teams and the hometown hero L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds – the Thorold track’s Hoosier Stocks and Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites are also getting ready for the big show.

“Week in and week out,” relates (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell, “drivers from both of these divisions put on some great racing for the fans … and for the Hoosier Stocks – their event sets the stage for the combined Duel on the Dirt Events later this season.”

The Duel on the Dirt is a unique two track Mini-series involving the Merrittville Speedway Hoosier Stocks and the Brighton Speedway Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks in home track and combined events.

Launching in 2005 with just a single event at each track it grew last season to include two ‘hometrack’ events prior to the two combined fall events and that format will continue this season.

Rob Murray led Team Merrittville to the second straight victory as well as the individual championship last season and currently leads the Merrittville Home Track Points leading up to August 6th’s 25 lap Event. Mike Dooley was the Inaugural Duel on the Dirt Title in 2005 as did Team Merrittville.

The three star holiday racing spectacular also includes the Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites and most nights the big time racing these small in stature cars put on is worth the price of admission alone.

“You wouldn’t think that a motorcycle engine could put so much power to the track,” adds Bicknell, “but with the track conditions as they are some nights – the open Wheel Lites are just as fast as our Sportsmen … August 6th’s show definitely will have something for everyone.”

Of course the main event will be the 100 lap Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Event for the Big Block Modifieds.

Your local Dirt Track is where it’s at and it’s at Merrittville Speedway Monday August 6th. The star studded Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big Blocks are set to challenge our home town heroes in the 100 lap Trevor Wilkens Memorial presented by Toolneeds. With plenty of free camping, the Club Castropignano Pasta Dinner and much more – it’s puts Merrittville Speedway on the map as a must see event. It’s been a Holiday Tradition since 1972 – make it yours in 2007! To learn more call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.

From Jim Irvine - Merrittville Public Relations