Norman County Raceway
Strand wins at Ada for first NLRA victory
By Chris Stepan
DirtonDirt.com correspondentADA, Minn. (Aug. 9) — Dustin Strand of Grand Forks, N.D., won Thursday’s Northern LateModel Association 30-lapper at Norman County Raceway, earning $1,100 for his first-ever series victory.
The third-starting Strand overtook outside front-row starter Zach Johnson of Kensington, Mo., on the eighth lap and led the rest of the way. Johnson, who led the first seven laps, settled for second spot with Brad Seng of Grand Forks in third.
The victory, coupled with three previous victories by his father Brian, make the Strands the second father-son combination with NLRA victories. Two-time champion Cody Skytland and his father Dale Skytland were the first father-son combination.
Cody Skytland of Fargo, N.D., finished fourth while series points leader Ricky Weiss of Winnipeg, Manitoba, rounded out the top five in a race slowed by three cautions.
Notes: Strand’s No. 71 is sponsored by sponsored by Q&Z Plumbing, Red River Welding Supply and Fastlane Motorsports. ... Mike Johnson earned hard charger honors by gaining 11 positions. ... Ricky Weiss holds a 46-point lead on Brad Seng. ... NLRA competitors head to Jamestown (N.D.) Speedway on Saturday and Buffalo River Race Park in Glyndon, Minn., on Sunday.
NLRA @ Norman County: (1) Dustin Strand, (2) Zach Johnson, (3) Brad Seng, (4) Cody Skytland, (5) Ricky Weiss, (6) Chad Becker, (7) Mike Balcaen, (8) Bill Mooney, (9) Joey Pederson, (10) Mike Johnson, (11) Dusty Peterson, (12) Cole Schill, (13) Adam Fischer, (14) Norm Olson, (15) Billy Michaelsohn, (16) Jake Bitker, (17) Josh Johnson, (18) Shane Edginton, (19) Jeremy Keller, (20) Troy Schill, (21) Tom Corcoran, (22) Mitch Johnson, (23) Matt Jarvis, (24) Steve Anderson, (25) Zach Naastad. Heat race winners (among 26 cars): Z. Johnson, Keller, Strand.