STRAND SCORES SECOND LATE MODEL WIN AT RIVER CITIES; TAKES POINT LEAD

​EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (July 10, 2023) - Dustin Strand made another trip to victory lane in the No. 71 Miller Motivations / Naastad Acres Millenium SRT NLRA Late Model last Friday night at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, which also made Strand, the five-time track champion, the new point leader in the season long standings at the 'Bullring'.

Strand started his night with a heat race win. With it being Midseason championship night, a heat win in heat two gave him a starting spot on the outside of the front row for the 20-lap main event.

Strand took the lead at the start, and continued to lead following a caution on the second circuit. Strand lapped around the top of turns one and two, while running the bottom of turns three and four as he held off Tyler Peterson for the top spot.

Peterson edged ahead on the backstretch a couple of times, but by the time the pair reached lapped traffic, Strand was able to split a pair of cars to allow for a bit of breathing room with eight to go.

Peterson did catch back up and made a pair of peeks to Strand's inside late, but Strand continued on for the win.

"I tell you, about a month ago we thought we had really found something with this car, it's been awesome," Strand said in victory lane post race. "Until about two weeks ago, we had a little issue. I made contact with the right rear tire, and since then we haven't been able to get it to go, but I think we got 'er back."

Along with the win, Strand improved to an incredible 15-for-16 in top ten finishes in the division at the midway point of the 2023 campaign. 

On Saturday night, Strand made his first trip to Canada since June of 2019 to run at the newly reopened Dead Horse Creek Speedway in Morden, Manitoba. This was an opportunity to run both in the Late Model and in his Mullens by Millenium Modified.

Strand's night started with a heat win in the Modified and a second place run in the Late Model. Strand started deep in the Modified feature on the outside of the fourth row, but ended up passing six cars en route to a runner-up finish. Strand went on to finish fourth in the Late Model feature.

This week, Strand will head to Brown County Speedway in Aberdeen, SD for the annual Rumble event which will run under the Northern Late Model Racing Association banner for the first time. Strand will head into the double header as the series point leader.

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: 16
Wins: 2
Top 5’s: 10
Top 10’s: 15

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 16
Wins: 1
Top 5’s: 6
Top 10’s: 7