KING DUSTIN: Strand races to King of Dirt title at I-94 Speedway

Photo by Richard Keech

By Spieker Promotions

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (June 8, 2021) – Dustin Strand raced to his second Late Model feature win of the 2021 season on Saturday night at I-94 Sure Step Speedway’s King of Dirt event. Strand topped a stout field of 26 entries and led all 30 trips around the three-eighths mile oval en route to the win. 

“I knew with (Dave) Mass starting right behind me, at some point I would have to get right up against that wall,” said Strand. “We don’t really race on any track similar to that so that was a little bit nerve racking, but by lap five we had it up against the wall. The car was driving awesome. We had some lapped cars to deal with but (the car) would maneuver wherever we had to put it. It was an awesome race.”

After starting seventh in his heat to start the night, Strand charged his way forward to finish second and earn a spot in the redraw for the feature. 

The four-time and defending NLRA series champion redrew the number one pill putting him on the pole for the main event. 

Mass remained within striking distance for the majority of the feature, but Strand found his stride late in the race and pulled away. In the final 10 laps, Strand increased his advantage from eight tenths of a second to over 3.5 seconds at the checkers. 

The win was Strand’s 25th with the NLRA, putting him one win behind John Seitz and Mike Balcaen for second on the all-time wins list. 

On Sunday, the series made the trip to Buffalo River Speedway for the first time in six years. Strand was the most recent winner at the speedway with his win over Donny Schatz in 2015. 

Strand was poised for a solid top-10 run late in the race, but on the last lap Strand lost fuel pressure when the hex drive broke off the pump. Strand's race ended a half-lap early, putting him back to 16th in the final results. 

Friday night’s NLRA show at River Cities Speedway was canceled due to rain after the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars completed time trials. 

This weekend, Strand will be back at it on Friday night at River Cities. The NLRA tour resumes on Saturday at Greenbush Race Park. 

Photo by Richard Keech

​Dustin and the entire Strand Racing team would like to thank all of their sponsors for their continued support!

Walhalla Building Center, Carr's Grain Service, Keewatin Truck Service, Bemidji Welders Supply, Generations Salon, Q&Z Plumbing, Millenium Chassis, Naastad Acres, Double Deuce Bar & Grill, Shocks by Hammer, Forest Flying Service, Bemidji Marine, Shocker Hitch, Gorsuch Performance Solutions, Bob's Truck Accessories, Flagstaff Nissan Subaru, RHR Swag, Novacek Honey Farms, Wehrs Machine, Energy Release and Matt's Mobile Wash.

​Latest Results:
June 4th: River Cities Speedway
Late Model
Rained Out

June 5th: I-94 Sure Step Speedway
Late Model
Heat: 2nd
Feature: 1st

June 6th: Buffalo River Speedway
Late Model
Heat: 5th
Feature: 16th

2021 Stats:
Late Model:
Races: 7
Wins: 2
Top Fives: 3
Top Tens: 5
 
Modified:
Races: 7
Wins: 3
Top Fives: 5
Top Tens: 7
 
Midwest Mod:
Races: 1
Wins: 0
Top Fives: 1
Top Tens: 1