STRAND A DOUBLE RUNNER-UP AT RIVER CITIES

​EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (August 9, 2023) - For the third time this season, Dustin Strand had the opportunity to win in both the No. 71 Walhalla Building Center Millenium SRT Late Model and No. 71 Bemidji Welders Supply Mullens by Millenium Modified on the same night at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, and came close in both time, bringing home runner up finishes in each feature.

Strand started his Friday night at the 'Bullring' winning both his Modified and Late Model heat race from the outside of the front row. To keep the trend going, Strand was scheduled to roll off on the outside of the fourth row in each 20-lap main event.

Strand remained eighth in the opening five trips around the tricky quarter-mile, searching for the best line to start moving through the field. Strand's first pass on Ryan Schroeder came by running the bottom, but the top soon became Strand's line of choice, passing Joseph Thomas before a caution at the midway point.

A series of issues with spins in the front of the pack saw Strand improve to fourth on the second shot at a nine to go restart, which saw Strand move around the bottom of the track to pass Aaron Holton and Tanner Williamson to take second.

The final caution with three to go saw Strand pull even with Tyler Peterson for the race lead, but Strand ended the race in the third spot.

Heading immediately to the pits to hop out of the Modified to jump in the Late Model for his second 20-lap feature of the night. Following a slow start to the race, which was marred by cautions, Strand went three-wide to the outside of Joey Pederson and Mitch Johnson on a lap two restart to take sixth place.

Another pair of cautions on lap seven saw Strand move into the top five as the race went back green. A three-lap battle with Brody Troftgruben for position saw the pair spin in turn one with eight to go, but Strand continued on to restart with the fourth spot.

A restart with six to go saw Strand move into second, which led to the final restart with three circuits remaining giving Strand one last shot at the win. Fending off Brad Seng for second, Strand finished on Joey Pederson's spoiler, finishing second for the second time in the nine o'clock hour.

Strand attended regular season Late Model competition at Devils Lake Speedway on Saturday night, where Strand remained perfect on the weekend, winning his third heat race in 24 hours.

Starting the final 20-lapper of his weekend, Strand started on the outside of the third row. Strand waged war with Jayson Good early on, remaining door-to-door while running the cushion through five trips around the high-banked one-third mile oval.

Still running the cushion, Strand went three-wide with Pederson and Good on a lap nine restart, remaining fifth.

Strand, while lapping close behind Good and Troftgruben, began having to fend off John Seng to remain in the top five. With the final 12 laps going caution free, the Strand/Seng battle continued to be one of the best battles in the closing laps, though Strand came up short on the final lap, finishing sixth.


Thanks to all of our great sponsors who help get us here!
Walhalla Building Center Inc.
Keewatin Truck Service
Q&Z Plumbing and Heating 
Bemidji Welders Supply, Inc
Bemidji Marine
Novacek Honey Farms
Shocks by Hammer-Brian Diede
Shocker Hitch
Bun Lounge
Miller Motivations, LLC.
Naastad Acres
Sturdy Racing Engines 
Carrs Grain Service
Double Deuce Sports Bar and Grill
Generations Salon 
RHRSwag.com 
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products
Highside Truck Accessories & Sales

2023 Stats (Late Model):
Races: 25
Wins: 3
Top 5’s: 13
Top 10’s: 20

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 19
Wins: 2
Top 5’s: 9
Top 10’s: 10