Strand scores first Modified win of the season at River Cities

​​EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (May 31, 2023) - It's been a great start to the local Modified season for Dustin Strand, driver of the No. 71 Q&Z Plumbing and Heating / Shocker Hitch Mullens by Millenium, as he scored his first victory of the 2023 campaign last Friday night at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND.

Strand kicked-off a busy slate of four races in four days by doing double duty at River Cities Speedway last Friday night. After starting the night without the best draw numbers, Strand went on the charge early. Improving from fifth to second in his Modified heat race, Strand also improved another three spots in his late model heat on the wind whipped, dry slick quarter-mile bullring.

Strand went on from there to start on the pole of the Modified main event,
"It helped to start in the front," Strand said in victory lane post race. "We had a low point average cause the driver failed a little bit last week. We had an awesome car last week, and I drove it off the end. Just gotta thank the boys in the pits, Nate, Tim, Matt and my Dad."

Then it was time for Strand to jump back in the No. 71 Walhalla Building Center Inc. / Keewatin Truck Service Millenium SRT Late Model for 20 more green flag laps. Starting ninth, Strand had moved into the top five just past the halfway point, and began to chase down the leaders.

Strand moved from fourth to second in the final circuits, but fell just short of his second win of the night.

On Saturday, it was the Late Model only, as Strand followed the NLRA series to Greenbush Race Park in Greenbush, MN. Another poor draw saw Strand buried in the back of his heat race where he finished seventh.

Rolling off 20th in the 23 car field for the 25 lap main event, Strand only had seven minutes to make up any ground as the race went pretty much mistake free. Strand ended the race as the hard charger with a ninth place run, passing eleven cars.

Strand completed his weekend with a trip to Sheyenne Speedway in Lisbon, ND on Memorial Day Monday. Strand won his heat from the front row, and scored another second place finish in the feature. Strand is yet to finish worse than second in races he's able to finish in the WISSOTA Modified division this season. 

Next up, Strand will be in action at River Cities with the NLRA Late Models as they co-headline the night with the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars. 
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Thanks to all of our great sponsors who help get us here!
Walhalla Building Center Inc.
Keewatin Truck Service
Q&Z Plumbing and Heating 
Bemidji Welders Supply, Inc
Bemidji Marine
Novacek Honey Farms
Shocks by Hammer-Brian Diede
Shocker Hitch
Bun Lounge
Miller Motivations, LLC.
Naastad Acres
Sturdy Racing Engines 
Carrs Grain Service
Double Deuce Sports Bar and Grill
Generations Salon 
RHRSwag.com 
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products
Highside Truck Accessories & Sales

2023 Stats (Late Model):
Races: 3
Wins: 0
Top 5’s: 2
Top 10’s: 3

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 11
Wins: 1
Top 5’s: 3
Top 10’s: 4