WISSOTA Late Model Recap, presented by RydellCars.com

Dustin Strand takes his 3rd RCS Late Model victory.

Dustin Strand celebrates in RydellCars.com Victory Lane with his family. Photo by Mike Spieker. 

By Mike Spieker

GRAND FORKS, ND (June 13) - James SanGrait and John Buchner led the field of 17 WISSOTA Late Models to the green flag for their 20 lap main event. 

After a complete restart, Joey Pederson got by fifth place starter, Zach Naastad, on lap three and set sail. The caution slowed the field on lap six and put the very fast Dustin Strand right on Pederson's rear bumper. On the ensuing Evergreen Insurance restart, Stand got his Millenium Chassis wound up and drove around Pederson for the lead. The caution flew after one more lap was completed, giving Pederson a chance to redeem himself; and that is exactly what he did. 

Pederson got by Strand at the drop of the green flag and opened up a comfortable lead, but disaster struck for the B&E Meats #7P. Pederson was in the midst of working his way through lapped traffic when he hooked a rut in turn one and spun off the banking, bringing out the yellow with just four laps to go. 

Strand inherited the lead for the restart and held off Bill Mooney and Brad Seng throughout the final circuits and took the checkers.

The win was Strand's 52nd career win at River Cities and third career RCS Late Model win, which ties him with his father, Brian, for 16th on the all-time Late Model wins list.