Strand records three top-fives in triple-header weekend with NLRA

By Spieker Promotions

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (August 5, 2020) - Going into the triple-header NLRA weekend, the No. 71 machine had a 10-point deficit on NLRA points leader, Brad Seng, but by weekend’s end, he would have a healthy points lead.
​

It had been nearly three years since the NLRA Late Models had visited Norman County Raceway in Ada, Minn, and even longer since Strand had been in victory lane with his Late Model at the speedway – 2012. By night’s end, not only would Strand change that, but he would have the NLRA points tie with Brad Seng.

Strand won his heat and lined up fourth for the 22-car, 25-lap feature. Don Shaw and Ryan Mikkelson led the field to green and it didn’t take long for Strand to make his way to the lead. After an early caution, the field reassembled and Strand snuck under Ryan Corbett and Casey Meyer for third. Strand then began stalking Mikkelson for second and gained the spot three laps into the main event. 

Another caution lined Strand up on the bumper of Shaw. The two battled side-by-side into turn one on lap five, but Shaw retained the lead on the line. Strand was able to get his car to stick on the low side and rocketed out of turn two, giving him the advantage at the line. Shaw challenged Strand on the high side in turns three and four, but on the following circuit Strand found grip out of turn two and cleared for the lead. 

Though there were a few more restarts and lapped traffic, Strand dominated the feature to pick up his 22nd career NLRA feature win.

Friday night the Q&Z Plumbing & Heating / Millenium SRT team unloaded at their home track of River Cities Speedway. Going into the NLRA Late Model Feature, Brad Seng and Dustin Strand were tied for the point lead for NLRA, and Strand had a seven-point advantage in track points over Seng. With three feature wins in a row, a bounty was put on Strand, giving an added bonus to whoever could beat him.

A full field of NLRA Late Models were on the grid for the 25-lap main event. After a fifth-place run in his heat, Strand started 14th. With the leaders battling, Strand quietly made a run to finish the feature in fifth.

Strand trails Seng in RCS track points by 9 points, and would be behind Seng in NLRA points, until the following day.

The Strand Racing team unloaded at Devils Lake Speedway on Saturday for the Throwdown at the Devils Playground with 26 NLRA Late Models checked in. After making a run from fourth to second in his heat race, Strand started fourth again for the feature. The feature was brought to green by Shaw and Casey Meyer, but Strand quickly worked his way into the second position. However, Brody Troftgruben was unstoppable that night, and moved from 10th to take the feature win. 

Strand went on to finish second and now leads the NLRA points over Troftgruben by 56 points. 

Strand will do double duty this Friday at the Bullring as they bring the WISSOTA Modifieds to the track along with their Premier Racing Series. 

Up Next:
August 7: River Cities Speedway – NLRA Late Models/WISSOTA A-Mods

Latest Results:
July 31: Norman County Raceway – NLRA Late Models
Heat: 1st (started 2nd)
Feature: 1st (started 4th)

August 1: River Cities Speedway  – NLRA Late Models
Heat: 5th (started 5th)
Feature: 5th (started 14th)

August 2: Devils Lake Speedway – NLRA Late Models
Heat: 2nd (started 4th)
Feature: 2nd (started 4th)
 
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: 13
Wins: 5
Top Fives: 12
Top Tens: 13
 
Modified:
Races: 10
Wins: 3
Top Fives: 9
Top Tens: 10