Strand sweeps River Cities, NLRA at I-94 Speedway up next

By Spieker Promotions

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (May 20, 2021) – Following a sweep of the Modified and Late Model features on Friday night at River Cities Speedway, Dustin Strand and the No. 71 team will load up and head to I-94 Sure Step Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minn. on Friday night with the NLRA Late Models. 

Strand’s most recent visit to I-94 Speedway came during the 2018 WISSOTA 100. There, he finished seventh in both his Late Model qualifying feature and the Saturday night main event. During Saturday’s feature, his seventh place finish came from the 20th starting position.

The NLRA Late Models haven’t been to I-94 Speedway since June 26, 2015. On that night, Strand picked up a fifth place finish from the 11th starting position. 

Last Friday night was another memorable one for Strand at his home track. Pulling double duty in the Modified and Late Model, Strand took the checkered flag in both features. 

Strand started on the pole for the 20-lap, 24-car WISSOTA Late Model feature and took the lead over Joey Pederson after the first set of corners. Strand went on to lead all 20 trips around the bullring, but Pederson remained within striking distance throughout the caution-free event. 

On the final lap, Strand was mired in heavy lapped traffic, allowing both Pederson and Mike Greseth to close in. Things got tight off turn four coming to the checkers, but Strand was able to hold on for the win. 

“The car was really good on the bottom. I kind of got tied up in lapped cars and I was watching my dad and he was telling me I had some room,” said Strand after the race. “On the last lap, I knew second was right there, but I figured he would have to pass me in the slick. After the checkered flag, I went up to the top and I actually should have tried that earlier. I think it might have been better up there. It definitely helps to start up front on a track like that but we’ll take it any day.”

The WISSOTA Modifieds took the green flag with Joe Thomas showing the way. Behind him, Aaron Holtan, Tyler Peterson and Strand battled hard for the runner-up spot. 

After getting by Holtan, Peterson and Strand continued their torrid battle for second. Thomas had a comfortable lead until Peterson slipped off the top of the track to bring out the yellow. 

From there, Thomas had a hungry Strand nipping at his heels. 

Strand muscled around the outside of Thomas with seven laps to go to take the point before going on to claim the win.

Strand capped off the weekend with a second place run in WISSOTA Midwest Modified action at Jamestown Speedway. 

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, Forest Flying Service, Bemidji Marine, Shocker Hitch, Gorsuch Performance Solutions, Bob's Truck Accessories, Flagstaff Nissan Subaru, RHR Swag, Novacek Honey Farms, Wehrs Machine, Energy Release and Matt's Mobile Wash.​

​Latest Results:
May 14th: River Cities Speedway
Late Model
Heat: 3rd
Feature: 1st

May 14th: River Cities Speedway
Modified:
Heat: 2nd
Feature: 1st

May 15th: Jamestown Speedway
Midwest Modified:
Heat: 1st
Feature: 2nd

2021 Stats:
Late Model:
Races: 2
Wins: 1
Top Fives: 2
Top Tens: 2

Modified:
Races: 7
Wins: 3
Top Fives: 5
Top Tens: 7

Midwest Mod:
Races: 1
Wins: 0
Top Fives: 1
Top Tens: 1