Strand closes out 2020 season with runner-up finish at Jamestown Stampede & 14 total wins

Photo by Steven Young.

By Spieker Promotions

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (September 30, 2020) – The 2020 season concluded for Dustin Strand last weekend at the 49th annual Stock Car Stampede at Jamestown Speedway. 

A new twist was added to the prestigious event this season with Friday night being a complete show instead of the traditional night of qualifying heats. 

Dustin started the night with a strong run in his heat to finish in second from the seventh starting position. That locked him into the main event. 

The newly crowned NLRA series champion started fourth on the grid, but moved his way into the lead near the halfway point of the 25-lapper.

“Friday went really good. I actually felt like I gave that one up,” said Strand. “We got the lead around lap 10 and led a good portion of the race. We got into heavy lapped cars and the track kind of rubbered up so it was kind of a one-laned deal. I felt like I was getting held up by the lapped cars and felt like I needed to make a move. When I tried it, I slipped up out of the rubber and (Ryan) Mikkelson snuck back by me. I guess I should have just stayed in line.”

Strand was forced to follow Mikkelson to the checkered flag and finished in the second spot.

Strand’s season concluded with 14 total wins including eight in the Late Model and six in the Modified.

“We had a pretty awesome year, even with it being shortened,” said Strand of his 2020 season. “Both cars were really good all season. We were fortunate enough to put some good runs together.”

It was another banner year for the East Grand Forks, Minn. driver. Strand earned his fourth NLRA series championship, his fifth River Cities Speedway Late Model track championship and the WISSOTA Late Model North Dakota State championship. 

“It’s really cool to win another NLRA championship. The first part of the year it was looking like none of the NLRA races were going to happen. Some of the early shows got canceled, then things really started clicking off. From June on it seemed like we got most of them in so it was a pretty good year.”

In NLRA action, Strand tied Brad Seng for the most wins with the series this season at three. 

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. 

​Latest Results:
September 25: Jamestown Speedway - Late Model
Heat: 2nd (started 7th)
Feature: 2nd (started 4th)
​ 
2020 Stats:
Late Model:
Races: 23
Wins: 8
Top Fives: 19
Top Tens: 20
 
Modified:
Races: 16
Wins: 6
Top Fives: 13
Top Tens: 15