Strand Nets Fifth Late Model Win of the Season at River Cities

​East Grand Forks, Minn. (July 8, 2024) - Dustin Strand kicked off the month of July in style last Tuesday night as he won his fifth Late Model feature of the season in the No. 71 Walhalla Building Center / Keewatin Truck Service Longhorn at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks after scoring a second place run in Modified competition earlier in the night.

Strand, who was coming off 14th and 20th place finishes with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series the previous weekend at Norman County Raceway and River Cities, returned to the Bullring Tuesday night for the Independence Day special.

Strand, making just his second Modified start of the 2024 campaign, won his heat race in both the Modified and the Late Model.

Strand started sixth in the Modified feature, and following an opening lap pileup, Strand was inside the top five for all of the 21-laps. Strand battled early with Bryce Borgen, Ward Imrie, and Davey Mills, going three-wide on a few occasions.

Strand finally broke away from that four-car battle to take the third spot and set his sights on Aaron Blacklance for second. On lap nine, Strand took second from Blacklance and spent the rest of the race looking to reel-in Dustin Wahl for the lead.

Strand was getting closer late in the race but ran out of time and finished second as the race went green-to-checkered following the opening lap pile-up.

Strand rolled off seventh in the Late Model feature and again started the race moving forward early. In three laps, Strand made his way up to third. On lap six he passed Amelia Eisenschenk for second then passed Shane Edginton to take the lead two laps later, both passes were made via the cushion of the quarter-mile.

Strand held his lead following cautions with eight and then four laps remaining and went on to win his fifth Late Model feature of the season.

“This thing was a joy to drive,” Strand said in Victory Lane post-race. “The crew was working their butts off and it was fun. I didn't think they were gonna get the race in to tell you the truth because we just got pounded with rain yesterday. The track was phenomenal compared to what I thought it was going to be and we could race high and low and through the middle. This car would go anywhere.”

Strand returns to River Cities on Friday before heading back to Devils Lake Speedway on Saturday night for the $5,000-to-win 6th Annual Golden Hammer Classic presented by Walhalla Building Center.

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: 18
Wins: 5
Top 5’s: 12
Top 10’s: 14

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 2
Wins: 0
Top 5’s: 1
Top 10’s: 1