Strand sweeps NLRA weekend, moves to second on wins list
EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (June 28, 2022) – Dustin Strand picked up a pair of NLRA Late Model wins over the weekend, sweeping NLRA action. Those wins came at Norman County Raceway in Ada, Minn. on Thursday night and Sunday evening at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks.
The wins propelled Strand past John Seitz and Mike Balcaen on the NLRA all-time wins list to put him in sole possession of second place with 27 career NLRA wins.
Strand started on the front row of the feature on Thursday night in Ada and led the field to the green with the Norman County Fair as the backdrop off of turn four.
Strand led all 25 trips around the three-eighths mile, but had to fend off heavy pressure from defending series champion Mike Greseth. Greseth looked to sneak around Strand several times in the final laps, but Strand was able to hold him off to claim his fourth career NLRA win at Norman County.
After both NLRA events at I-94 Sure Step Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minn. and Devils Lake Speedway in Crary, N.D. were rained out, the weekend concluded with a Sunday special at River Cities to close out the Greater Grand Forks Fair.
Strand started seventh for the 25-lap feature and became a player for the win with around five to go. Taking advantage of a restart, Strand moved from fifth to second on lap 19 before setting his sights on Lance Schill for the lead.
Schill pushed exiting turn four coming to five to go, which allowed Strand to fly by the No. 17 on the front stretch and take the lead.
Just like on Thursday, a hard charging Greseth challenged Strand for the lead late, but Strand was able to hold him off to score the hometown win.
“I kept getting stuck on the bottom groove early on and that line was ok, but the top side was really fast. A few guys were having pushing issues but my car was really good. It was a fun race,” said an excited Strand in victory lane.
Strand will return to the Bullring on Friday night for a weekly Late Model show before heading to Greenbush (MN) Race Park on Saturday to complete the three-peat with the NLRA.
Special Thanks to our awesome partners and supporters!
Walhalla Building Center Inc.
Keewatin Truck Service
Q&Z Plumbing and Heating
Bemidji Welders Supply, Inc
Novacek Honey Farms
Shocks by Hammer-Brian Diede
Shocker Hitch
Miller Motivations, LLC.
Naastad Acres
VP Racing Fuels
Mielke Oil Company, Inc
Sturdy Racing Engines
Carrs Grain Service
Double Deuce Sports Bar and Grill
Generations Salon
RHRSwag.com
Energy Release Products
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products
Kevko Racing
Gorsuch Performance Solutions
