Strand Wins Make-up Feature at River Cities Speedway

Grand Forks, N.D. (June 4, 2024) - Dustin Strand rebounded from mechanical issues in his heat race early on Friday night at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks as the NLRA held its first series point race at the Bullring for the 2024 season.

Strand, like many drivers in the Red River Valley, had been stuck at home for two weeks due to a rain-filled Memorial Day weekend, but was out front in his heat race when he had to pull to the infield in the closing laps with smoke trailing the No. 71 FREIJE Farms / Bemidji Welders Supply Longhorn.

Dustin and crew scrambled back to the shop and made repairs in time to take his spot on the pole for the makeup feature which was rained out two weeks prior. Strand beat the field to turn one at the drop of the green and held a five-car length advantage over Ryan Corbett through five laps.

Strand worked lapped traffic for the final dozen laps but consistently had more traffic between him and Corbett as the second half of the race began. Strand continued on to victory by over five-and-a-half seconds over Brody Troftgruben and Corbett as the race went flag-to-flag in just over five minutes.

Strand has won every heat he has finished so far this year following Saturday's win at I-94 but redrew the inside of the fourth row for the 30-lap main event. Strand immediately made his way into the top five in the opening pair of laps, but a pair of caution saw Shane Edginton battle for that final spot in the top five.

The race was slowed by a number of cautions around the midway point, but Strand took second following the cautions as the remainder of the race finished under green, finishing as the runner-up.

This week sees more NLRA action at River Cities as the series co-headlines with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series on Friday night.

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: 10
Wins: 2
Top 5’s: 7
Top 10’s: 8

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