Strand Finishes Season with Top Five at Gopher Shootout

East Grand Forks, Minn (Oct. 15, 2024) - Dustin Strand wrapped up his 2024 campaign last weekend with a top five in the 2nd Annual Gopher State Shootout at I-94 emr Speedway in Fergus Falls, MN. Strand battled for the lead throughout the 40-lap finale before coming home with his 32nd Late Model top five of the season in his 40th start.

​The two-day event started Friday night with qualifying heat races. Strand started on the pole and won the eight-lapper by a convincing four seconds over the rest of the field. After passing points were tabulated, Strand was slated to start on the outside of the second row in Saturday night's main event.

Strand battled door-to-door at the start with Tyler Peterson, running the top of the three-eighths mile oval to hold a podium spot until a caution on lap six. Strand's battle with Peterson continued as the green came back out until he opened up an advantage over Peterson by lap nine.

On lap 15, with the leaders working lapped traffic, Strand moved in on second running Don Shaw in a bid to take the runner-up spot. Strand pulled even on a number of occasions until the second caution just before the midway point.

Strand's battle with Shaw resumed after the caution and continued until the top three settled into their spots while running the top of the track with ten laps left. Peterson had reeled Strand back in and took third before the final caution with seven circuits remaining.

Shaw, Peterson, Strand, and Pat Doar battled for each position from second through fifth in the closing laps with Strand ending the night with a fifth-place finish, his 32nd of the season.

Along with Strand's fifth NLRA title and his points and track championships at Devils Lake and River Cities, Strand finished second in the WISSOTA national Late Model standings, just 16 points back of the top spot.

Thanks to all of our great sponsors who help get us here!
Walhalla Building Center Inc. 
Keewatin Truck Service  
Q&Z Plumbing and Heating 
Kick'n Up Kountry Music Festival
Mattracks
Freije Farms
Bemidji Welders Supply, Inc  
Bun Lounge  
Shocker Hitch  
Shocks by Hammer-Brian Diede  
Sturdy Engines 
Naastad Acres 
Highside Truck accessories and sales. 
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products 
Generations Salon 
Flagstaff Nissan Subaru  
Carr's Grain Service
Double Deuce Bar and Grill
Performance Bodies  
Jason Strand Farms
Nathan Davis 
Matt Lunski

2024 Stats (Late Model):
Races: 40
Wins: 18
Top 5’s: 32
Top 10’s: 34

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 11
Wins: 3
Top 5’s: 9
Top 10’s: 9