September 10
River Cities Speedway,
Grand Forks, ND
Sanction: Northern LateModel Racing Association (Prelude to the Johnny) - $1,500
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated September 11, 1:23 pm)
Diemel wins first NLRA race, Strand nabs second crown
Prelude to the Johnny
- A.J. Diemel
- Pat Doar
- Cody Skytland
- Brad Seng
- Dustin Strand
- John Kaanta
- Joey Pederson
- Jake Redetzke
- Chad Mahder
- Tom Waseleski Jr.
- Zach Naastad
- Blake Jegtvig
- Steve Anderson
- Dave Smith
- Don Shaw
- Bill Mooney
- Steffen Snare
- Cole Schill
- Jeff Hapala
- Norm Olson
- Steve Laursen
- Kyle Peterlin
- Mike Balcaen
- Shane Edginton
- Adam Hensel
- Lance Matthees
presented by
Mike Spieker
A.J. Diemel's first career NLRA victory came in the 2015 season finale.
What won the race: Polesitter A.J. Diemel of Elk Mound, Wis., led all 25 laps for his first career Northern LateModel Racing Association victory in the tour's season finale. Diemel earned $1,500 in the prelude to Sept. 11-12's $9,200-to-win John Seitz Memorial, a race Diemel won in 2014.
Key notes: Diemel was never challenged and the winning margin was 1.884 seconds. ... The feature's first stoppage came with eight laps scored complete. ... Additional cautions flew on lap 10 for Shane Edginton and lap 13 for Mike Balcaen. ... The final yellow came for Kyle Peterlin with 18 laps complete. ... Thursday's event received a purse boost from Todd and Susan LaHaise, Buffalo Wild Wings franchise owners and the Blazing Racing team owners of sprint car driver Dusty Zomer. ... A season-high 47 drivers entered with the tour.
On the move: Runner-up Pat Doar started 18th, while third-finishing Cody Skytland came from 12th.
Winner's sponsors: Diemel's No. 58 MB Customs machine is sponsored by Allstar Performance, Beltline Body Shop, CMD Race Shocks, Joe Provo Racewear, Keyser Mfg, Mars Race Cars, Nolan Livestock Northern Chill, Schaeffer's Racing Oil and Speedwerx.
Points chase: After running as high as second, Dustin Strand of Grand Forks, N.D., slipped back to fifth in the closing laps, but still unofficially clinched his second series championship. He was previously crowned in 2013.
Car count: 47
Polesitter: A.J. Diemel
Heat race winners: Chad Mahder, Joey Pederson, Dustin Strand, A.J. Diemel, Jake Redetzke
Consolation race winners: Steffen Snare, Mike Balcaen
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
