07.18.14 Wissota Modified Results

7/19/2014

Dustin Strand tops "The Jet" and the Arnesons for a RCS Wissota Modified victory.

By Mike Spieker

GRAND FORKS, ND (July 18) - Dustin Strand may have become River Cities Speedway's new Iron Man Friday night at The Bullring. The Grand Forks, ND driver ran the 50 lap World of Outlaw Late Model feature, then immediately jumped into his Modified where he sat on the pole for the Allstate Peterbuilt Group/Steussy Investments 20 lap event.

"There was about 10 laps to go in the Late Model feature and I was thinking, 'I don't know how I'm going to drive the A Mod', but it worked out," said Strand following the Modified feature. "I was kind of looking for those yellows there, but I didn't need that one with three to go. But everything worked out, I'm wiped out."

When the race went green, Strand battled the two-time Wissota Modified national champion, Blake Jegtvig, into turn one and the two drivers raced side by side down the back stretch. Strand came around to lead the opening lap while Austin Arneson raced with Jegtvig for second.

"We got a good start, I was relying on the cushion up top and we had the car freed up enough to run up there," Strand continued.

Strand's biggest challenge came on the lap 17 restart with Arneson lined up right on his back bumper.

"When we were under yellow and I saw that #10 (Arneson) was behind me, I knew there couldn't be any mistakes."

As the race went green, Arneson dove to the inside of Strand in turn one and was able to pull alongside of him. But Strand's RealTruck.com #71 was too tough on the high side as he powered back by for the lead and the win.

Aaron Olson was the race's hard charger as he came from the 15th starting position to finish fourth.