Strand claims a pair of wins in tripleheader weekend with the NLRA

By Spieker Promotions

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (August 26, 2020) - It was a crucial weekend for the NLRA points race with three consecutive events on tap last weekend. Dustin Strand led the series points by just six markers over Brody Troftgruben entering the tripleheader and not only extended his lead, but picked up two wins by weekend’s end. 
​

It all began on Thursday, August 20th at Norman County Raceway in Ada, Minn. where Dustin scored his second win of the season. The driver of the Walhalla Building Center / Carr's Grain Service No. 71 led all 25 trips around the three-eighths mile oval, despite some pressure from Don Shaw in the closing laps, to score the season sweep at the speedway. 

“We're actually running a concept motor, it's a new rule package Wissota offered, and it's a little less horsepower and torque, but it's a really awesome package when the track is slick. I didn't know if we were gonna be able to hang on tonight,” said Strand after the race, referring to the fast and tacky racing surface. “But the ol' girl was hitting on all eight.”

“It feels great to win any time, but I really love racing at Ada. I wish we could run here more,” Strand concluded.

The next night, the NLRA Late Models co-headlined the event with the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks. 

In one of the most thrilling finishes in recent memory at the Bullring, Strand stole the win from Lance Schill in the last corner of the last lap, coming to the checkered flag.

"Before that last caution, I thought we had a pretty good run going,” said Strand, who started fifth on the grid for the 25-lapper. "Then the yellow came out, and I thought ‘that's just what we need.’ But [Lance] was doing a good job the whole race, and the lapped car kind of played into my favor coming to the checkered there. Sometimes it's better to be in the second place driver’s seat than to be leading, cause you can kind of see where they’re going and where the lapped cars are. I knew my only prayer was to go to the top, and the car stuck. It was pretty awesome. It was tight at the line."

Three wide finish at the checkers. (Strand outside, Schill middle, Steve Anderson (lapped car) inside).

Strand picked up the win by a matter of inches to claim his seventh Late Model win of the season and close to within one point of Brad Seng in the track point standings.

On Saturday night, the busy weekend concluded with a trip to Jamestown Speedway in Jamestown, N.D. Unfortunately, Strand’s night only lasted four laps as heavy contact with the wall on the backstretch caused severe damage and brought his night to an end. 

This week, Strand will be back in action with the Late Model at River Cities Speedway. 

Up Next:
August 28: River Cities Speedway - Late Model
 
Latest Results:
August 20: Norman County Raceway - Late Model
Heat: 2nd(started 6th)
Feature: 1st (started 1st; led 25 laps)

August 21: River Cities Speedway - Late Model
Heat: 2nd (started 4th)
Feature: 1st (started 5th; led 1 lap)
 
August 22: Jamestown Speedway - Late Model
Heat: 7th (started 5th)
Feature: DNS
 
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, Sam's Auto Body, Forest Flying Service, Bemidji Marine, Shocker Hitch, Gorsuch Performance Solutions, and Hagel Construction. 
​ 
2020 Stats:
Late Model:
Races: 18
Wins: 7
Top Fives: 15
Top Tens: 16
 
Modified:
Races: 13
Wins: 4
Top Fives: 12
Top Tens: 13