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East Grand Forks, Minn. (Sept. 3, 2024) - Dustin Strand finished the regular season as strong as he had been throughout the summer, winning four of the five features in which he competed last weekend including securing his seventh River Cities Speedway points title. Strand capped off his track championship at the Bullring by taking three of four at Greenbush Race Park including a sweep of the Late Model features and increasing his 2024 win total to 20.

Strand's Labor Day weekend started Friday night at River Cities Speedway on Track Championship night. After winning his heat race Strand started on the pole of the final 20-lap main event of the regular season at the high-banked quarter-mile.

Strand took the lead on the initial start from fellow front row starter Brad Seng and led the opening lap. Just six laps into the race, Strand had to start working lap traffic, but still had a straightaway lead at that point.

Strand split a pair of lapped cars on lap seven to put three slower cars between himself and Seng before at the completion of the seventh lap.

Strand brought the race back to green and was followed by Joey Pederson as the runner-up. At the midway point, Strand was again ahead by a straightaway as he saw the back of the field get closer once again.

Strand had to abandon the top on numerous occasions and was in traffic for the duration of the race, but still went on to victory, his eighth late model win at the speedway and securing the track and points championships.

I tell you, I can't wait to watch my wife's video because about six to go I almost drove it off the end over here,  [turn one,]” Strand said in victory lane post race. “I bet you I'm going to get chewed out for that one but [the car] was pretty awesome.”

Strand won his heat in both the Modified and the Late Model Saturday night at Greenbush Race Park and started seventh in the late model main event. After the initial start was called back, Strand made his way into the top five on the opening lap. He then passed Brody Troftgruben on the next lap and passed Brad Seng before a caution on lap eight.

Strand went three-wide with Shane Edginton and early leader Brandon Corbett with Strand taking the lead on at the end of lap ten. Following another caution with 11 to go, Strand continued to lead over Edginton and Corbett and worked traffic late to win his second feature of the weekend.

Strand started sixth in the Modified feature and started his march through the field after a lap three caution. Strand moved past Shawn Teunis to move into the top five for the first time on lap five then continued to roll the bottom past Tim Thomas before he spun on lap six.

When the race resumed, Strand then passed Aaron Holtan and Ward Imrie on consecutive laps to become the runner-up on lap nine. A side-by-side battle at the midway point culminated in Strand taking the lead on lap 14. 

Strand held the lead through the final pair of cautions on laps 14 and 18 and held off Ward Imrie in the closing laps to win his third modified feature of the year, sweeping his night at Greenbush.

Strand started on the pole in Sunday’s main event at Greenbush and led the opening lap over Tucker Pederson and led through a lap four caution. Strand led by a straightaway as he worked lapped traffic before a lap nine caution cleared the way.

Strand again started to walk away from the field and was lapping through traffic again until the final caution with four to go. Strand pulled away one final time in the final mile to sweep the weekend of Late Model features at Greenbush.

Strand started fourth and lost a couple spots early in the Modified main event Sunday at Greenbush but only spent one of the 25 laps outside the top five. Strand was back up to fourth after battling with Dustin Wahl for the majority of the race and finished fifth.

Up next is the 18th Annual John Seitz Memorial which kicks off with the Howie Schill Memorial Thursday night at River Cities. “That’s the one that has kind of always eluded me,” Strand said about the Seitz in victory lane last Friday night. “We’ve led that race a lot of laps and ran good in the qualifying nights and just seems like something always fails me. That race is my kryptonite, so we're gonna try like heck to get her done.”

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2024 Stats (Late Model):
Races: 35
Wins: 17
Top 5’s: 27
Top 10’s: 29

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 8
Wins: 3
Top 5’s: 7
Top 10’s: 7

East Grand Forks, Minn. (Aug. 27, 2024) - Dustin Strand's remarkable string of podium finishes continued last weekend as he stretched the streak to 16 features including five podium finishes which was capped off with a pair of wins Sunday night at Dead Horse Creek Speedway in Morden, MB, Canada.

After finishing second in his heat race Friday night at River Cities, Strand lined up on the outside of the second row for the 25-lap main event. Strand stumbled on the cushion at the start of the race but quickly rebounded to pass Shane Edginton to take third at the end of lap two.

From there, Strand moved back to the top to pass Blake Higginbotham to take the runner-up spot. A caution on lap seven led to a pileup in turn four which saw Joey Pederson flip. Pederson was ok.

Once the race resumed, Strand remained second and continued to remain within striking distance of leader Mike Greseth as the final 18 laps went green-to-checkered.

The lead duo worked lapped traffic at the midway point which further cut into Greseth's advantage over Strand. In thick traffic in the final two trips around the quarter-mile, Strand pulled even with Greseth during the final trip down the backstretch but came up just short of the win, finishing second.

Strand headed north for four more features on Saturday and Sunday at Dead Horse Creek Speedway in Morden, MB, Canada. Following second place finishes on Saturday in both the Modified and the Late Model, Strand took the lead on lap 17 and led the final four laps to win the Modified feature on Sunday night, his second in the class in 2024.

Strand went on to lead all 25 laps in the Late Model feature, his 14th Late Model victory of the season. With three runner-up finishes and two more wins, Strand stretched his podium streak to 16 features in-a-row. The last time Strand failed to finish third or better was a DNF at Brown County on July 19th.

This Friday night at River Cities will be Track Championship night. Strand will enter the night as the point leader by 47 markers over Brad Seng in hopes of his seventh points title at the speedway in the Late Model division since 2015.

Thanks to all of our great sponsors who help get us here!
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Sturdy Engines 
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2024 Stats (Late Model):
Races: 32
Wins: 14
Top 5’s: 24
Top 10’s: 26

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 6
Wins: 2
Top 5’s: 5
Top 10’s: 5

East Grand Forks, Minn. (August 13, 2024) - Dustin Strand's hot streak continued last week as he won his sixth and seventh Late Model features in-a-row first on Thursday night at Victory Lane Speedway in Winnipeg then on Friday night at River Cities Speedway. Strand, who also won his first Modified feature of the season Friday at RCS, ran out of time Saturday night at Jamestown Speedway, finishing second after another charge through the field, continuing a different streak which has seen Strand finish on the podium in both cars for nearly a month straight.

Strand started his week on Thursday night at Victory Lane Speedway in Winnipeg where he won his heat race and started fourth in the main event. Strand went three-wide coming off of turn four with Shane Holden and Scott Greer, finishing the lap in second.

Following a caution on the second lap, Strand continued to roll the bottom on the restart and passed leader Scott Greer to take the lead. Strand continued to lead following the second caution on the fourth lap and held the point through the final caution with eight to go.

Strand continued on to victory by over a straightaway at the 4/10ths mile oval, his sixth Late Model win in-a-row.

After winning his heat race in both the modified and late model Friday night at River Cities, Strand was slated to start eighth in both 20-lap main events. Strand searched around the quarter-mile early in the modified main event, working low and then high, but eventually moved into the top five for the first time after a multi-lap battle with Preston Carr at the end of lap seven.

Strand continued his march through the field the following lap, moving around Ward Imrie as he worked the top side of the racetrack. The pair joined the top three in a five-car battle for the top spot which saw Strand move to third at the midway point. He cut in between Josh Beaulieu and Davey Mills, going three-wide for the lead and improving the second on the following circuit and then to the lead with eight laps left.

Strand continued on in the closing laps to win again by nearly a straightaway en route to his first Modified victory of the season.

In the Late Model feature, Strand’s march started early. He was already in the top five at the end of the opening lap and third at the end of lap two. Working the high side of the Bullring, he closed in on Joey Pederson and John Seng to battle for the lead.

Strand went three-wide in the middle of Shane Edginton and John Seng on the fourth lap, finishing the lap in second again.

On lap ten, Strand moved to the inside of Joey Pederson for the first time, going door-to-door with the leader as they worked lapped traffic before the first caution of the race with eight to go.

Strand briefly lost second on the restart to Edginton, but after regaining the spot, began to hound Pederson again for the lead. A caution with two to go set up a green-white-checkered finish. Strand slid Pederson coming off of turn four coming to the white flag. Strand again slid Pederson in turn two and protected the bottom in turns three and four to continue on to win his seventh late model feature in-a-row.

“Joey ran a heck of a good race," Strand said post-race. “We made a change right before the feature. I probably had the car a little too free. [Pederson] was probably the class of the field, and I don't think I could have got him without that yellow. It was a great race. I tell you this car's just been badass. My crew have been doing a heck of a good job and the car is just a dream to drive. It's been going awesome.”

Strand finished second in his heat Saturday night at Jamestown Speedway in the late model and started sixth in the main event.

Strand's first appearance inside the top five came on lap seven when he passed Don Shaw. Strand’s climb through the field continued from there at the midway point of the 25-lap race when Strand worked the bottom of the quarter mile to move past Travis Robertson to move to third.

As the leaders worked traffic with seven to go, Strand improved to second while still working the bottom and clearing Kevin Robertson. With time running out, Strand started to eat into Chad Becker's advantage over the rest of the field but ran out of time after nearly cutting his lead in half and finishing second.

This week, Strand joins the NLRA Late Models at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo for the two-day Howie Schill Memorial on Friday and Saturday. Strand enters the race as the most recent Late Model winner at the one-third mile oval, having won there on June 14th.

Thanks to all of our great sponsors who help get us here!
Walhalla Building Center Inc. 
Keewatin Truck Service  
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Carr's Grain Service
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2024 Stats (Late Model):
Races: 29
Wins: 13
Top 5’s: 21
Top 10’s: 23

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 4
Wins: 1
Top 5’s: 3
Top 10’s: 3

East Grand Forks, Minn. (August 6, 2024) - It would be fair to say that Dustin Strand is one of the hottest drivers in WISSOTA country at the moment as he won his fourth and fifth consecutive Late Model features last week, scoring the win late in the race on Hall of Fame night at River Cities Speedway and then collecting the Devils Lake Speedway championship with his flag-to-flag win on Saturday.

Strand won his heat and started eighth in the 20-lap feature Friday night at River Cities. At the beginning of the second lap, Strand had to check up and nearly fell off of the top of turn two, but a caution saved him from falling back to as far as 11th.

Strand lined up seventh on the lap two restart and nearly went three wide with Ryan Kereluk and Joey Pederson as he tried to make his first appearance inside the top five. The trio went three-wide again on the third lap but this time it was Strand passing both drivers to improve to fourth before another caution on lap four.

Strand briefly fell back to fifth as Joey Pederson took the fourth spot back, but Strand entered into a three-car battle with Pederson and John Seng, moving around both on the bottom of the back stretch to take third at the end of the sixth lap.

Two laps later, Strand reeled in Tom Corcoran and Brody Troftgruben as he and Corcoran battled door-to-door for the lead. With nine to go, Strand used the middle of turn three to move past Corcoran for second and began hounding Troftgruben for the lead.

Strand took the lead coming off of turn four with five to go as the lead duo worked a little bit of lap traffic. Strand led the final five laps to pick up his fourth consecutive victory and sixth overall at River Cities in 2024. Strand also charged from eighth to third in both the heat and feature in the Modified as he did double duty for a second straight week.

Strand lined up on the pole of both the heat and the feature Saturday night in Devils Lake with Cole Schill on his outside to start both races. Strand took the lead at the start as Jason Strand moved into second.

Strand pulled away by ten car lengths just three laps into the race into the 25-lap feature. Strand passed a lapped car at the midway point, allowing him to pull away from Jason Strand by a full straightaway.

Strand lapped a few more cars late in the race but remained untested as he went on to his 11th late model win of the year and fifth in a row. The victory also clinched the 2024 Devils Lake points championship for Strand.

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: 26
Wins: 11
Top 5’s: 18
Top 10’s: 20

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 4
Wins: 0
Top 5’s: 3
Top 10’s: 3

East Grand Forks, Minn. (July 30, 2024) - Dustin Strand is now a 35-time NLRA feature winner after three more victories last week starting with Thursday’s win at Victory Lane Speedway in Winnipeg. Strand also won Friday night in dramatic fashion at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks before completing the sweep Saturday night at Devils Lake Speedway.

Strand started sixth Thursday night at Victory Lane Speedway in Winnipeg where he started the 25-lapper cutting between Scott Greer and Kevin Sexton on the opening lap to improve to fourth.

Strand began to reel in Jason Strand on the third lap, pulling to his inside and taking the spot going into turn three to move up the third. Strand was beginning to reel in Cole Schill for the second spot as the leaders worked light lapped traffic before a caution with 10 to go.

Following a pile up on the restart which started in the row behind Strand, he lined up to the inside of Cole Schill as Schill chose the outside. Strand used the bottom, however, in turns one and two and took the second spot coming off of turn two.

From there Strand began to track down race-long leader Shane Edginton, pulling to the inside of Edginton for the first time with five to go. The two went door-to-door through turns three and four with Strand leading at the completion of the lap.

Strand led the final five circuits to pick up his first victory of the weekend.

Strand started sixth again Friday night at River Cities, falling back to seventh briefly as he battled Brody Troftgruben for position by using the outside of the Bullring. Strand got back past Troftgruben on the second lap and then passed Joey Pederson in turns three and four on the third lap to move into the top five.

From there, Strand abandoned the top and went to the bottom, pulling even with Ryan Corbett on the fifth lap before a caution set up a double file restart. Strand and Corbett resumed their battle this time with Strand on the outside, taking the spot at the end of the circuit.

Making it a two-for-one special, Strand moved past Jason Strand in the first and second turns to move into third. Strand, after holding off Jason Strand, moved to the outside of Brad Seng on the 11th lap, taking the second position as the leaders started working lapped traffic.

With eight to go, thick lap traffic helped Strand to close in on race long leader Tyler Peterson. Strand had some problems of his own in traffic before more two wide traffic erased Peterson's lead once more.

Peterson who had been running low and Strand up high, the two switched lanes going down the back stretch with four to go. Strand used the bottom side coming off of turn four to take the lead.

Strand led the final four laps to pick up his second victory of the weekend and his fifth of the season at River Cities. Strand also finished second in the Modified feature Friday night after charging from seventh.

Strand started fourth Saturday night at Devils Lake hoping to complete the sweep of the weekend. Strand moved to the inside of Brody Troftgruben at the start in a battle for the second spot

Both Troftgruben and Strand used the top side of the speedway to move past Cole Schill to move into first and second respectively. Troftgruben pulled away by a couple car lengths, but Strand erased that disadvantage on lap five, pulling up to Troftgruben’s spoiler. Strand then ducked to Troftgruben’s inside for the first time to attempt to take the lead.

The pair battled for a number of laps before Strand finally pulled even and then passed Troftgruben in turns three and four and took the lead with 12 laps to go.

Strand remained on the bottom of the race-track as he started working lapped traffic with ten to go. Strand put a lapped car between himself and Troftgruben with eight to go and worked with a little bit of clean air before more traffic appeared in the closing laps.

Strand had to deal with the thickest lapped traffic of the race with five to go. At one point the following lap, he had to abandon the bottom and start running the middle to continue to put ground between himself and Troftgruben.

Strand lapped two more cars with three to go and continued on to complete the sweep of the weekend.

“When the luck comes your way, you gotta ride the wave because it can go the other way in a hurry,” Strand said after completing the sweep. “Things have been clicking really good for us the past few nights and the guys have been doing a heck of a good job in the pits. As long as we can keep the driver hooked on the wheel and keep all the wheels on the car, hopefully we can make a decent run at a few of the year end specials.”


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
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Bun Lounge  
Shocker Hitch  
Shocks by Hammer-Brian Diede  
Sturdy Engines 
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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: 24
Wins: 9
Top 5’s: 16
Top 10’s: 18

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 3
Wins: 0
Top 5’s: 2
Top 10’s: 2

East Grand Forks, Minn. (July 15, 2024) - Dustin Strand continued his winning ways last week, winning the Mid-Season Championship at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks. Strand's win was his fourth at the Bullring so far this season and sixth overall behind the wheel of the No. 71 Walhalla Builders / Mattracks Longhorn.

Strand started the night at River Cities winning his heat race. Strand won the heat by two seconds as his Sturdy Engine sang far out in front of the field on the high-banked quarter-mile.

Strand started on the pole for the 25-lap Mid-Season championship feature and led the opening lap over Brad Seng. Strand started working lapped traffic on lap eight but was already in front by a straightaway before a caution erased his advantage on lap nine.

A great restart for Strand saw him back out in front by a half straight away in the first laps following the caution. The final caution with eight to go saw Strand again pull away from Seng and Shane Edginton. Strand led every lap en route to his fourth win at the Bullring so far in 2024.

“[The car] would go anywhere, the car was really good,” Strand said in victory lane post-race. “I didn't know what we were gonna have. The heat race was pretty hammer down and I didn't get to watch the B-mods so I didn't know if it was slickening off but usually when the sun goes down, it gets faster here and it did.”

On Saturday night, Strand headed to Devils Lake Speedway for the 6th Annual Walhalla Building Center Golder Hammer Classic where he charged from seventh to third in his heat race.

Strand started 11th in the 40-lap feature and climbed inside the top ten on lap four. Strand's bad luck at the Classic continued as he was racing for sixth on lap 26. Strand and Shane Edginton made contact which damaged the front suspension too severely for Strand to continue. He was credited with a 19th place finish.

The NLRA heads to Aberdeen, SD for another crown jewel in our area, “The Rumble” on Friday and Saturday at Brown County Speedway.

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: 20
Wins: 6
Top 5’s: 13
Top 10’s: 15

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 2
Wins: 0
Top 5’s: 1
Top 10’s: 1

East Grand Forks, Minn. (July 8, 2024) - Dustin Strand kicked off the month of July in style last Tuesday night as he won his fifth Late Model feature of the season in the No. 71 Walhalla Building Center / Keewatin Truck Service Longhorn at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks after scoring a second place run in Modified competition earlier in the night.

Strand, who was coming off 14th and 20th place finishes with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series the previous weekend at Norman County Raceway and River Cities, returned to the Bullring Tuesday night for the Independence Day special.

Strand, making just his second Modified start of the 2024 campaign, won his heat race in both the Modified and the Late Model.

Strand started sixth in the Modified feature, and following an opening lap pileup, Strand was inside the top five for all of the 21-laps. Strand battled early with Bryce Borgen, Ward Imrie, and Davey Mills, going three-wide on a few occasions.

Strand finally broke away from that four-car battle to take the third spot and set his sights on Aaron Blacklance for second. On lap nine, Strand took second from Blacklance and spent the rest of the race looking to reel-in Dustin Wahl for the lead.

Strand was getting closer late in the race but ran out of time and finished second as the race went green-to-checkered following the opening lap pile-up.

Strand rolled off seventh in the Late Model feature and again started the race moving forward early. In three laps, Strand made his way up to third. On lap six he passed Amelia Eisenschenk for second then passed Shane Edginton to take the lead two laps later, both passes were made via the cushion of the quarter-mile.

Strand held his lead following cautions with eight and then four laps remaining and went on to win his fifth Late Model feature of the season.

“This thing was a joy to drive,” Strand said in Victory Lane post-race. “The crew was working their butts off and it was fun. I didn't think they were gonna get the race in to tell you the truth because we just got pounded with rain yesterday. The track was phenomenal compared to what I thought it was going to be and we could race high and low and through the middle. This car would go anywhere.”

Strand returns to River Cities on Friday before heading back to Devils Lake Speedway on Saturday night for the $5,000-to-win 6th Annual Golden Hammer Classic presented by Walhalla Building Center.

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: 18
Wins: 5
Top 5’s: 12
Top 10’s: 14

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 2
Wins: 0
Top 5’s: 1
Top 10’s: 1

East Grand Forks, Minn. (June 25, 2024) - Rainouts continue to be an issue for racers across the valley as Dustin Strand was only able to race once last weekend, scoring a sixth place run in the No. 71 Walhalla Building Center / Keewatin Truck Service Longhorn at I-94 emr Speedway in Fergus Falls, MN.

Strand charged from fifth to second in his heat race and drew the sixth starting spot for the 29-car 25-lap main event. Strand slipped up the track in turn two on the initial start and fell back to the ninth spot.

Through six circuits around the three-eighths mile oval, Strand remained in the top ten when a pair of cautions reset the field. Strand took eighth from Mitch Johnson when the race resumed. Strand continued to regain spots from there and took seventh from Don Shaw just before the midway point.

With ten to go, Strand made another pass on Brody Troftgruben to get back to his original sixth starting spot. Strand was reeling in Shane Edginton in hopes of a top five but ran out of time as the final 19 laps went green-to-checkered with Strand finishing sixth.

Strand and the rest of the NLRA had hoped to get the 6th Annual Walhalla Building Center Golden Hammer Classic at Devils Lake Speedway in the books but an early evening storm ended hopes of getting the race underway.

Strand is now just 14 points behind Cole Schill in his pursuit of a fifth series championship which will head back to Devils Lake on July 13th.

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: 15
Wins: 4
Top 5’s: 11
Top 10’s: 13

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

East Grand Forks, Minn. (June 18, 2024) - Dustin Strand kept his NLRA hot streak alive last Friday night at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, ND as he won his third series feature, and fourth overall, of the 2024 campaign. Strand's 32nd career NLRA triumph also put him back on top of the series standings in his search for a fifth series championship.

Strand kept his heat win streak alive at the start of the night at Red River Valley Speedway as he won his heat from the third starting spot. Strand went on to draw the third starting spot for the 25-lap main event.

Strand made it past second starting Greg Friestad in the first pair of turns and completed the opening lap in the second spot. Strand then pulled even with Lee Grosz on the third lap to enter in a side-by-side battle for the lead.

Strand and Grosz remained door-to-door until a lap six caution. Strand got a bite of the bottom of the second turn to take the lead on the restart. Strand led the field back to green following a lap seven pileup in turn four and led a couple more laps before the third caution of the race a few laps later.

Strand began to open up an advantage over Don Shaw near the midway point during the longest green flag segment of the race. As Strand was about to have to work lapped traffic with eight laps to go, the final caution of the race allowed Strand to run the final circuits in clean air.

Strand went on to win his third NLRA series feature of the season and 32nd of his career.

“I tell you this car just kinda drives like a dream,” Strand said in victory lane post-race. “We got this Longhorn at the end of last year and it's one bad Hot Rod. I really couldn't do it without my boys and the pits. Nate and Matt keep me rockin’ and I just get the pleasure to hold the steering wheel.”

Strand made the trip to Devils Lake Speedway near Doyon, ND on Saturday night as the final tune-up for Saturday’s 6th Annual, 40-lap, $5,000-to-win Walhalla Building Centers Golden Hammer Classic.

Strand’s heat win streak came to an end, but he still finished in the top three which set up a row four start in the 25-lap main event.

Strand passed three cars on the opening circuit to make his way into the top five where he remained for the duration of the event.

Strand passed Cole Babcock on the second lap for fourth and then set his sights on Jason Strand and Rusty Kollman for a podium finish.

With ten laps left Strand caught Kollman and moved into his eventual finishing position of third as the race went caution free and lasted just over six minutes.

Strand heads to I-94 emr Speedway in Fergus Falls, MN on Friday night as the new NLRA point leader and will follow the series back to Devils Lake Saturday night for the aforementioned Golden Hammer Classic which is also an NLRA series race. Strand heads into the weekend leading by 14 points over Cole Schill.

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: 14
Wins: 4
Top 5’s: 11
Top 10’s: 12

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

East Grand Forks, Minn. (June 10, 2024) - Dustin Strand collected his second win of the season Friday night in dramatic fashion as a last lap pass put the No. 71 Bun Lounge / Shocker Hitch Longhorn back in victory lane for the second consecutive week, 50th time in Late Model competition, and 106th time overall at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks.

Strand started third in the 25-lap main event which was delayed two-hour by rain. Strand completed the opening lap in second as Laela Eisenschenk led the opening lap from the pole. 

Strand took the lead on the third lap and led through two cautions and a red through six laps.
Strand lost the lead to Shane Edginton on lap eight but remained second through another caution and a second red flag just past the midway point.

The remaining 12 laps went caution free as Strand reeled in Edginton in traffic with three laps left. Strand slipped past Edginton using the bottom of turns three and four, stealing the win at the line by just .049 seconds.

“I tell you Shane's about one of the best in the business on the bottom,” Strand said in victory lane post-race. “I wanted to stay up high because it was a little smoother, but he was so good around the bottom once we'd get into about a six to eight lap run. I started reeling him in a little bit but that was definitely his race and a lapped car kind of screwed him up and we were able to capitalize on it. That must’ve been pretty close at the line there.”

Strand continued his heat win streak Saturday night at Devils Lake Speedway in weekly Late Model action but started ninth in the 25-lap main event. Strand's march through the field started on a lap eight restart as he split Steve Anderson and Tucker Pederson to move into the top five for the first time.

From there, Strand continued to slice and dice his way to the front, passing Joey Pederson to take third at the conclusion of lap eight. Travis Robertson was next on the list as Strand completed a slider at the line to take second to end lap nine.

Strand took a peek to the inside of leader Brody Troftgruben on a restart with 12 laps left but remained a solid second until the final caution with six circuits remaining. Strand held off Robertson in the final laps to finish as the runner-up.

This week, Strand follows the NLRA to Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo on Friday night and heads back to Devils Lake on Saturday for more weekly action.

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: 12
Wins: 3
Top 5’s: 9
Top 10’s: 10

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

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

East Grand Forks, Minn. (May 20, 2024) - Like most drivers in the area there was very little on track action last weekend but Dustin Strand was able to keep his season long heat win streak going in the No. 71 Longhorn before thunderstorms ended the night early at River Cities Speedway.

Coming off his 30th NLRA feature win, Strand returned to River Cities Friday night where he started fourth in his heat race. Strand went four-wide with Tom Corcoran, Shane Edginton, and Dan McNamee in turns one and two at the start, completing the lap in second.

Strand took the lead from Edginton on the second lap and went on to his third heat win in as many nights in Late Model action in the area.

The race night was in hurry up mode all night as a line of storms looked to end the night early which eventually happened following the Midwest Mod feature. When the feature is made up, Strand will start on the pole of the make-up feature.

This week, Strand will return to River Cities with the Late Model and, for the first time this season, his WISSOTA Modified. Strand's weekend will continue with a return trip to Dead Horse Creek Speedway in Morden, MB as he'll look to extend his NLRA point lead as he battles for his fifth series championship.

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
FREJIE 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: 8
Wins: 1
Top 5’s: 5
Top 10’s: 6

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

East Grand Forks, Minn. (May 16, 2024) - Dustin Strand parked the No. 71 Walhalla Building Center Inc. / Keewatin Truck Service Longhorn in victory lane during the NLRA Late Model season opener at Devils Lake Speedway near Crary, ND last Saturday night.

Strand started his opening weekend of the 2024 campaign last Friday night at River Cities Speedway, winning his heat from the third starting spot. Strand started fourth in the 20-lap main event and had just moved into the second spot after as the leaders started working lapped traffic.

Unfortunately, Strand was caught up in a four-car pileup in turn two on lap seven, ending a promising run early.

Strand and crew worked through the night and the next day to make repairs to join the NLRA at Devils Lake Speedway for the track and the series' season lid-lifters. Strand won his heat and drew the fourth starting spot for the 25-lap feature.

Strand immediately made his wat to the front of the field, taking the lead on the second circuit. Strand, for a majority of the race, was unchallenged save for a few peeks to the inside by Shane Edginton midway through the race.

Strand held the lead on a late caution as he was about to work lapped traffic again and continued on to his 30th NLRA feature win, which is second on the all-time list, becoming just the second driver to eclipse that mark.

"It’s pretty cool to be second on the all-time wins list," Strand said post-race. "The car was really good. I was a little worried after last night, we kinda tore up the car and the guys worked their tails off and got things put together. Then you always have it in the back of your mind, “is it going to be as good?” But it might be better, I don't know. My car was awesome tonight though.”

Strand returns to River Cities Friday night with the Late Model for week two of action at River Cities Speedway.

Thanks to all of our great sponsors who help get us here!
Walhalla Building Center Inc. 
Keewatin Truck Service  
Q&Z Plumbing and Heating 
FREJIE 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: 8
Wins: 1
Top 5’s: 5
Top 10’s: 6

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (February 1, 2024) - Dustin Strand's debut at Central Arizona Raceway is in the books, scoring three podium finishes in the No. 71 Flagstaff Nissan Subaru / Keewatin Truck Service Millenium SRT and finishing the six-race mini-series making 31 passes, including a pair of hard charges where he passed ten cars or more.

Strand opened the event on January 18th with a podium finish in the opening night's main event. Strand made his way from the outside of the third row and was just about to take the lead when a caution flag flew. Strand went on to finish third behind Billy Moyer and Ricky Weiss.

Strand finished just short of a second top ten on night two, finishing eleventh. But this was the first time during the six-race event that Strand sliced through the field to earn his result. Strand started last following fuel filter issues in his heat and passed 15 cars in 25 laps.

Arguably, Strand's best run came during week two of the Early Thaw as he charged through the field once more. Strand started 13th on night five of the event and charged his way all the way through the field to earn his third podium finish in five races.

Strand capped off his seventh early season trip to the southwest with a fourth-place finish, scoring his fourth top five in six nights.

Strand has returned home for the rest of the offseason and will continue to compete in Modified and Late Model competition throughout the Upper Midwest starting this spring.

Thanks to all of our great sponsors who help get us here!
Walhalla Building Center Inc. 
Flagstaff Nissan Subaru 
Q&Z Plumbing and Heating 
Freije Farms
Keewatin Truck Service 
Brekke Aviation, Inc. 
Bemidji Welders Supply, Inc 
Shocker Hitch 
Generations Salon 
Highside Truck accessories and sales. 
Shocks by Hammer-Brian Diede 
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products 
Sturdy Engines 
Bun Lounge 
Naastad Acres 
Auto Finance Super Center, Grand Forks 
Double Deuce Bar and Grill
Carr's Grain Service

2024 Stats (Late Model):
Races: 6
Wins: 0
Top 5’s: 4
Top 10’s: 5

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (January 18, 2024) - For the seventh time in eight years, Dustin Strand is set to take the No. 71 Q&Z Plumbing and Heating / Walhalla Building Center Millenium SRT Late Model to the Southwest for six nights of action at Central Arizona Raceway in Casa Grande for the Ernie Mincy Early Thaw starting January 18th.

Strand is no stranger to making the early season trek to the southwest as he has competed at the Wild West Shootout since 2016, but this season he will return to Arizona after competing at Vado Raceway Park in New Mexico last January.

Another change to Strand's early season lid-lifter will be switching from campaigning his Modified for Late Model action, as he has run in the Modified and B-Mod divisions since 2018. 

Strand was the breakout star of the opening night of action in 2016 as he was running inside the top three against some of the best Late Model drivers in the county, but a mechanical failure erased that podium performance. Strand scored three top tens in his two trips to Arizona in Late Model action in 2016 and 2017.

In Late Model action during the 2023 season, Strand chalked up five feature victories and 28 top tens in 33 nights of action.

You can catch Strand and a strong contingent of other local talent from January 18th-20th and from January 25th-27th from Central Arizona on SpeedSport.TV.

Thanks to all of our great sponsors who help get us here!
Walhalla Building Center Inc. 
Freije Farms
Double Deuce Bar and Grill
Q&Z Plumbing and Heating 
Flagstaff Nissan Subaru 
Brekke Aviation, Inc. 
Flagstaff Nissan Subaru 
The Rocky Point Bed and Breakfast 
Bemidji Welders Supply, Inc 
Generations Salon 
Shocker Hitch 
Keewatin Truck Service 
Sturdy Engines 
Wehrs Machine & Racing Products 
Shocks by Hammer-Brian Diede 
Highside Truck accessories and sales. 
Naastad Acres 
Bun Lounge 
Carrs Grain Service
Auto Finance Super Center, Grand Forks

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (September 5, 2023) - Heading into arguably the biggest weekend of the entire season, Dustin Strand debuted a brand-new car last weekend, winning in its debut race and winning his sixth River Cities Speedway Late Model points championship. Strand went three-for-three in top fives after a runner-up and fourth place finish with the NLRA Late Models at Greenbush Race Park in Greenbush, MN which leads into this week's 17th annual John Seitz Memorial at River Cities.

Friday night at River Cities saw Dustin dominate his heat race, setting up a start on the front row in the 20-lap main event. Taking the lead from the pole, Strand was on cruise control as the next 15 laps went caution free. 

A caution with five to go erased a half lap lead, but continued on to lead every lap he ran during the night, winning by a straightaway for his fifth victory at the speedway in 2023 in Late Model competition and securing his sixth Late Model title at the speedway. This championship is also his tenth overall at the Bullring combined with a Super Stock title in 2006, and three Midwest Mods titles (2007-08, and 2011.)

“This car is pretty badass,” Strand said in victory lane, confirming that the entry is brand new. “I'm looking forward to next weekend. I think we've got a pretty good piece here and we’re pretty excited. We've had a pretty good program here all year. We've had some pretty good speed, had some bad luck in between but overall we've had a pretty awesome year and hopefully we can keep it going next weekend.”

Strand followed the NLRA Late Models north to Greenbush Race Park for a Labor Day double header at the speedway where he started on the outside of the third row in each 25-lap feature.

Saturday's feature saw Strand follow Joey Pederson as the only drivers inside the top ten to run the top of the track consistently throughout the race. Strand abandoned the top in turns three and four as the leaders negotiated through thick lapped traffic near the midway point.

A caution with seven laps remaining saw restart on the outside of the second double-file row. Strand continued to utilize the top to get past Bryce Sward in the closing laps to score a fourth place run.

Night two saw Pederson and Strand again run the tip early, this time battling for second. Strand went for second with a slide job in turn two on lap 11, with Pederson hoping for a cross under in turn three. Pederson and a lapped car made contact, ending his race.

The race resumed with Strand as the new runner-up as he remained close to leader Mike Greseth until the final caution with ten to go. Holding off Tyler Pederson on the final restart, Strand remained a close second to Greseth past the checkered flag.

This week Strand will return to River Cities for the 17th annual John Seitz Memorial which runs from Thursday through Saturday.

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
Freije 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: 33
Wins: 5
Top 5’s: 18
Top 10’s: 28

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 19
Wins: 2
Top 5’s: 9
Top 10’s: 10

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (August 29, 2023) - With one more night of track points on the line at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, Dustin Strand helped inch closer to his next track championship last Friday night by finishing second in the main event in the No. 71 Q&Z Plumbing and Heating / Keewatin Truck Service Millenium SRT.

After charging from seventh to second in his heat race, Strand rolled off on the outside of the third row in the 25-lap main event last Friday night at River Cities Speedway. Strand fell back to as low as seventh following a lap two restart but moved into the top five on lap six.

Improving to fourth on lap nine, Strand closed in on Joey Pederson for third. With the leaders entering lapped traffic, Strand took third in turn four at the conclusion of lap 11.

Remaining third through thick traffic at the midway point, a caution on lap 18 saw Strand lineup to the outside of Brody Troftgruben as the race went back green.

Strand took second and held it through the final caution with four laps to go, eventually finishing the race as the runner-up.

Strand heads into Friday night with a 35-point lead over Brad Seng. Strand won his first Late Model title at the speedway in 2015, eventually going on a four-year streak of championships. Strand last won the title in the class in 2020.

The championship would also be Strand's tenth at the track. Strand won the final Super Stock championship in 2006 and followed that up by winning the first two Midwest Mod titles in 2007 and 2008. Strand's other championship was a third Midwest Mod crown in 2011.

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: 30
Wins: 4
Top 5’s: 15
Top 10’s: 25

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 19
Wins: 2
Top 5’s: 9
Top 10’s: 10

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (August 22, 2023) - Dustin Strand, driver of the No. 71 Walhalla Building Center / Shocker Hitch Millenium SRT Late Model, competed in three Northern Late Model Racing Association events last week scoring top tens during each night of the third annual Howie Schill Memorial at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, ND and at the fifth annual Golden Hammer Classic at Devils Lake Speedway near Doyon, ND.

Strand's Thursday at Red River Valley Speedway started with his first of three consecutive heat race wins on the weekend. Strand redrew the eighth starting spot for the 25-lap main event and avoided disaster early as fellow heat winners Mike Greseth and Josh Zimple crashed on the front stretch at what would've been the close of the opening lap.

Strand ran the top of the third-mile oval on the resumption of the race, going three-wide with Chad Becker and Brad Seng, ending the opening circuit in fifth.

Strand remained as one of the few drivers to stick with the topside of the track as he battled with Mitch Johnson and Brad Seng for the fourth through sixth spots. Strand abandoned the top a few laps later after falling to seventh.

A caution with eleven laps left saw Strand continue to lap close to the Johnson/Seng battle which now included Cole Schill. The closing laps saw the order remain similar as Strand finished the race in sixth.

Another heat win at the beginning of the second and final night of the Schill Memorial was followed by a poor redraw which saw Strand start tenth. Following a caution for Becker on the initial start, the race went green-to-checkered.

The 30-laps ran in just over nine minutes, and once Strand found his place running the bottom of the track, was able to make up a few spots, finishing seventh.

Strand rounded out the weekend running the fifth annual Walhalla Building Center Golden Hammer Classic at Devils Lake Speedway near Doyon, ND. Strand won his third heat race of the weekend and drew the third starting spot for the $5,000-to-win feature.

Strand remained inside the top five until the third caution of the race on lap ten. Some close quarters action saw Strand get the short end of the stick in turns one and two as he slid up the track, falling back to seventh.

The final caution on lap 17 again failed to help Strand, who had rebounded to run just outside the top five but slipped back to eighth in the final third of the race.

This week, Strand returns to River Cities and Devils Lake for more Late Model action. Strand is four points behind Brody Troftgruben with one race left at Devils Lake, and ten points behind Brad Seng with two races left at River Cities.

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: 29
Wins: 4
Top 5’s: 14
Top 10’s: 24

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 19
Wins: 2
Top 5’s: 9
Top 10’s: 10

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (August 15, 2023) - With just one race on the schedule before the busy fall specials season begins, Dustin Strand parked the No. 71 Q&Z Plumbing and Heating / Keewatin Truck Service Millenium SRT NLRA Late Model in victory lane at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks on Friday night for the fourth time during the 2023 campaign.

Following a run from fourth to first in his heat race, Strand lined up ninth in the 20-lap main event. Three cautions in the first three laps slowed the pace of the race following a rain delay earlier on in the evening.

An eleven-lap green flag run followed with Strand climbing into the top five. On the ensuing restart, Strand passed Tom Corcoran for third, then went around Brody Troftgruben and John Seng to take the lead while running around the bottom of the quarter-mile Bullring with three laps left.

Strand led the final three laps to score his fourth Late Model win of the season at the track, and seventh overall with three Modified wins combined.

“Yeah, we were pretty lucky there,” Strand said after the race. “Had we just stayed green we were probably a fourth-place car. [The track] was pretty narrow. The dang rain kind of screwed us up and then Brody and John had a heck of a race and I think they just touched tires which was unfortunate for both of them, and I was able to sneak under him.

Strand continued, “it feels great to win against the caliber of drivers like this. Any way we can get it, we'll take it.”

This week, Strand has three opportunities at some pretty good pay days with the two-night Howie Schill Memorial at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, ND and the Golden Hammer Classic on Saturday night at Devils Lake Speedway near Doyon, ND.

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: 26
Wins: 4
Top 5’s: 14
Top 10’s: 21

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 19
Wins: 2
Top 5’s: 9
Top 10’s: 10

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (August 9, 2023) - For the third time this season, Dustin Strand had the opportunity to win in both the No. 71 Walhalla Building Center Millenium SRT Late Model and No. 71 Bemidji Welders Supply Mullens by Millenium Modified on the same night at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, and came close in both time, bringing home runner up finishes in each feature.

Strand started his Friday night at the 'Bullring' winning both his Modified and Late Model heat race from the outside of the front row. To keep the trend going, Strand was scheduled to roll off on the outside of the fourth row in each 20-lap main event.

Strand remained eighth in the opening five trips around the tricky quarter-mile, searching for the best line to start moving through the field. Strand's first pass on Ryan Schroeder came by running the bottom, but the top soon became Strand's line of choice, passing Joseph Thomas before a caution at the midway point.

A series of issues with spins in the front of the pack saw Strand improve to fourth on the second shot at a nine to go restart, which saw Strand move around the bottom of the track to pass Aaron Holton and Tanner Williamson to take second.

The final caution with three to go saw Strand pull even with Tyler Peterson for the race lead, but Strand ended the race in the third spot.

Heading immediately to the pits to hop out of the Modified to jump in the Late Model for his second 20-lap feature of the night. Following a slow start to the race, which was marred by cautions, Strand went three-wide to the outside of Joey Pederson and Mitch Johnson on a lap two restart to take sixth place.

Another pair of cautions on lap seven saw Strand move into the top five as the race went back green. A three-lap battle with Brody Troftgruben for position saw the pair spin in turn one with eight to go, but Strand continued on to restart with the fourth spot.

A restart with six to go saw Strand move into second, which led to the final restart with three circuits remaining giving Strand one last shot at the win. Fending off Brad Seng for second, Strand finished on Joey Pederson's spoiler, finishing second for the second time in the nine o'clock hour.

Strand attended regular season Late Model competition at Devils Lake Speedway on Saturday night, where Strand remained perfect on the weekend, winning his third heat race in 24 hours.

Starting the final 20-lapper of his weekend, Strand started on the outside of the third row. Strand waged war with Jayson Good early on, remaining door-to-door while running the cushion through five trips around the high-banked one-third mile oval.

Still running the cushion, Strand went three-wide with Pederson and Good on a lap nine restart, remaining fifth.

Strand, while lapping close behind Good and Troftgruben, began having to fend off John Seng to remain in the top five. With the final 12 laps going caution free, the Strand/Seng battle continued to be one of the best battles in the closing laps, though Strand came up short on the final lap, finishing sixth.


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: 25
Wins: 3
Top 5’s: 13
Top 10’s: 20

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 19
Wins: 2
Top 5’s: 9
Top 10’s: 10

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (August 2, 2023) - For the fourth time this season, Dustin Strand will have the opportunity to bring both the No. 71 Q&Z Plumbing & Heating Millenium SRT Late Model and the No. 71 Keewatin Truck Service Mullens by Millenium Modified to River Cities Speedway this Friday night. The previous two times Strand has run both cars at the Speedway, he won in both cars on the same night.

Last week’s racing action started Thursday night at Norman County Raceway in Ada, MN with Strand charging from sixth to third in his heat race, setting up a ninth-place start in the first of three 25 lap main events of the weekend.

In a caution free race that lasted just over eight minutes, Strand had little time to make up spots. But make up spots he did, charging into the top five in just three laps. From there, Strand set his sights on Brad Seng for fourth.

Strand took the spot on lap four, then reeled in Shane Edginton for the third spot. Following a ten-lap race with Edginton for the position, Strand moved into third with 12 laps to go, and remained third for the duration of the race.

Heading back to River Cities Speedway on Friday night, Strand won his heat and started on the outside of the front row in the second 25-lap feature of the weekend.

After trailing pole sitter Brad Seng through the first pair of corners, Strand took the lead on the exit of turn four to lead the opening circuit. Just like a week prior, Strand was spared from having to make his first run through lapped cars as a caution flag flew with five laps in the books.

Strand wasn't done with traffic or challenges for the lead, however, as point leader Mike Greseth reeled in Strand for the lead just past the ten-lap mark.

A second caution at the midway point allowed Strand to keep the lead, but the final trip through lapped traffic saw Greseth move inside and then past Strand for the lead with ten laps to go. Strand went on to cross under the checkers in second.

Strand and crew headed north for another NLRA date at Greenbush Race Park in Greenbush, MN to complete their weekend on Saturday night.

Another heat win from the third starting spot set up a start on the pole in the final 25 lapper of the weekend. Strand's night was off to a great start once again, as he led the opening six laps before a lap seven caution.

Strand's luck continued to fail him as a trip to the work area soon followed. Restarting 17th, Strand saw the remainder of the race go caution free as he fell just short of rebound into the top ten, finishing 11th.

This week Strand will have another opportunity to win two races in one night as the Late Models and Modifieds will be on the card on Hall-of-Fame Night at River Cities.

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: 23
Wins: 3
Top 5’s: 12
Top 10’s: 18

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 18
Wins: 2
Top 5’s: 8
Top 10’s: 9

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (July 25, 2023) - Dustin Strand scored both ends of another night of double duty last Friday night at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, winning the 29th feature of his career with the Northern Late Model Racing Association, then going on to win the Moonshine Mod Tour's debut at the quarter-mile 'Bullring.'

Strand's week started with the brand-new Moonshine Mod Tour making its first appearance at Ada's Norman County Raceway. Climbing from fifth to third in his heat race, Strand re-drew the eighth starting spot for the 30-lap feature.

Strand, in just two laps, rolled around the bottom of the three-eighths mile oval into the top five. Strand then moved on to battle Blake Jegtvig for third.

A pair of restarts hurt Strand, however. Strand fell back to sixth on a lap seven restart, but had regained a spot inside the top five, holding the spot over Tyler Peterson until a caution just past the midway point.

Falling to sixth one final time, Strand got past Mike Stearns to come home fifth.

Returning to River Cities on Friday night, Strand and crew brought both the No. 71 Q&Z Plumbing and Heating / Bemidji Welders Supply Millenium SRT NLRA Late Model and the No. 71 Bemidji Marine / Novacek Honey Farms Mullens by Millenium Modified.

Finishing second in the Late Model heat, Strand won his modified heat from the fifth starting spot. Strand started on the pole of the Late Model feature, but trailed Brad Seng at the start.

Strand ran the cushion on a lap three restart, taking the top spot shortly thereafter. Strand was about to lose the lead and third in lapped traffic before a lap ten caution.

With clear air, Strand continued to lead through another slowdown at the midway point, slowly pulling away from Seng and Peterson. 

Strand was saved from having to re-enter lapped traffic with nine left on the scoreboard and continued to rip around the top with the lead after one last caution with seven to go, switching low to move around traffic late to score the victory.

"Well, I tell ya, I think the cautions saved my butt," Strand said in victory lane post-race. "I didn't like to see [the cautions], but they came at the perfect time right when I was getting to lapped cars. When I got those guys at the end, I knew we had a pretty good lead, but I didn't evidently go low enough over here, and got caught up in the middle on the last lap. And I thought, ugh, I'm gonna throw it away on the last lap here, but it worked out good. The car was rockin', the guys have been working their butts off, and we've got one more feature later tonight."

Speaking of that feature, Strand had a taller task ahead of him, having to start on the outside of row four. Strand lapped on the bottom early, eventually climbing into the top five on lap three.

Strand again battled Peterson for position, this time taking fourth, then reeling in the top three. Strand caught the leaders in traffic just past the first handful of laps of the scheduled 30 circuits.

Strand moved into second just before the halfway mark, chasing down Thursday night winner Zach Johnson. Strand pulled even to the inside of turn four at the conclusion of lap 15, taking the lead the following lap.

From there, Strand moved from high-to-low to continue to put lapped cars between himself and Johnson. Strand continued on unchallenged to win the green-to-checkered affair.

Strand talked about his win in the Modified, saying “the bottom lane was, I thought, the fast way, and I was probably overdoing the top a little bit, sliding up in that crummy stuff. And I knew I needed to slow down, but I couldn't make myself do it. But I rolled by Zach on the top in lapped cars, and he got back by me, and I thought we were going to be in trouble. But we were able to put it together, and this thing would go anywhere."

Strand had one more race on the schedule, which was another NLRA feature at Devils Lake Speedway near Doyon, ND. Strand improved from fourth to second in his heat race, again drawing the pole for the main event.

Strand looked as though NLRA win number 30 was a good possibility early, leading the first 16 laps. On a late restart, both Brad and John Seng were able to move low around Strand. Strand, following some close racing with the new lead duo, got a bit high in turn four and ended up finishing in sixth.

This week, Strand has another pair of NLRA appearances ahead at River Cities on Friday and at Greenbush Race Park on Saturday.

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: 20
Wins: 3
Top 5’s: 11
Top 10’s: 17

2023 Stats (Modified):
Races: 18
Wins: 2
Top 5’s: 8
Top 10’s: 9

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (July 19, 2023) - The Northern Late Model Racing Association schedule kicked into high gear last week as Dustin Strand and his No. 71 Walhalla Building Center / Keewatin Truck Service Millenium SRT is in the middle of a stretch that sees nearly a third of the schedule run in a three-week period starting last week at South Dakota's Brown County Speedway for their annual Rumble event.

On night one, Strand charged from sixth to third in his heat race and started 11th in the 30-lap main event. Running well inside the top ten early on in the race, Strand decided to try the highline on what had become a bottom dominant surface at the third-mile oval. Strand fell back in the order, eventually finishing 14th.

Night two saw a better start as a heat win from fourth set up a fifth place start in the main event. Strand, who had been running inside or near the top five throughout the first half of the race, passed Shane Edginton on the high side on the backstretch with 13 laps to go to move onto the podium.

Having reeled in the leaders Chase Gelling and Cole Searing, Strand remained within striking distance in lapped traffic when a caution flag flew with five circuits remaining. Lining up to Searing's inside on the ensuing restart, Strand and Dustin Arthur made contact in turn four, ending Strand's bid at the win.

This week, Strand returns to River Cities and Devils Lake Speedway for more NLRA series action. Strand leads the track points at River Cities and has two wins at the 'Bullring' so far this season.

Heading an hour west to Devils Lake for Saturday night, Strand in 15 previous series starts at the one-third mile oval has finished outside of the top five just once in features he was able to start, which was a seventh place run last August for an average finish of 2.6 with four feature wins.

Strand will head into the weekend second in the NLRA series standings, as the four-time series standings is just 44 markers back of the top spot.

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: 18
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