Strand Looks to Claim First Win of 2018 Tonight at Norman County
PORTLAND, N.D. (June 20, 2018) – Each week, Jason Strand and the E85 Racing team are inching closer and closer to their first win of the 2018 season. Last Thursday night at Norman County Raceway, Strand raced to his best finish of the season with a second place run in the Wissota Midwest Modified feature.
After starting seventh on the grid, Strand quickly made his way to the front and into contention for the win. Strand found himself behind Matt Schow in second around the halfway point and it appeared that Strand was a tick faster.
“He would push up in three and four and I would get a run on him down the front stretch and try to crossover, but he was just too fast in one and two. I tried everything I could. He ran a good race,” said Stand.
In his first two races with the Midwest Mod, Strand has finished third and second.
“We are still fighting with some heating issues, but we are getting closer with the gearing on it,” he said. “The car has been excellent. I think we’ve got it rolling really well. We just have to get a little luck on our side.”
Strand was also racing his North Dakota Corn Council IMCA Modified on Thursday at Norman County Raceway. Mired deep in the pack for the start, Strand’s feature got off to a bad start when he was called for a caution after a car spun on the opening lap. That sent the Portland driver to the tail of the field, but he never gave up.
Strand wheeled his way back up to eighth on the fast and tacky three-eighths mile dirt oval. However, bad luck stuck again as Strand got by Adam Fischer, he tagged the back of Jesse Skalicky, which sent Skalicky spinning in turn one to bring out the caution. The caution was Strand’s second of the night, which sent him pitside.
“The car was unbelievable all night,” said Strand. “That’s the best my car has ever worked. I didn’t hurt anything other than some tin so we’ll be back on Wednesday. I’m excited to hop back in the Modified again. That thing is definitely a rocket right now.”
This Friday, Strand will also be in action at Red River Valley Speedway on North Dakota Corn Growers Association night. Fans can enjoy 85 cent popcorn from the concessions, courtesy of the ND Corn Growers. Jason will also have his new 2018 driver cards on hand so be sure to swing by his pit after the races.
Jason and the entire E85 Racing team would like to thank all their sponsors for their continued support!
North Dakota Corn Council, American Ethanol, Flex Fuel, Bergstrom Ranch, Sower Power Racing Engines, The Pit Stop, Proseed, Finley Motors, Inc.-Finley, ND, Butler Machinery Company, Central Plains Ag Services, Precision Electric, Plumbing, and Hvac, Bud Light, Peterson Farms Seed, Fatman Graphix and Blasey Farms.
2018 Stats:
Modified:
Races: 2
Wins: 0
Top Fives: 0
Top Tens: 0
Heat Wins: 0
Midwest Modified:
Races: 2
Wins: 0
Top Fives: 2
Top Tens: 2
Heat Wins: 1
Photo by Speedway Shots