What won the race: Pole-starting Dustin Strand of Grand Forks, N.D., traded the lead multiple times with Brad Seng in the early laps and paced the final 19 circuits unchallenged to win Friday's $1,250 Northern LateModel Racing Association stop at River Cities Speedway. Strand led twice for 22 laps (3-5, 7-25) en route to earning his first NLRA win of the year and the 29th of his career.

Quotable: “Well I tell ya, I think the cautions saved my butt. Although I didn’t like to see them, but they came at the perfect time, right when I was getting to the lapped cars,” Strand said. “When I got to them (lapped) guys at the end, I knew we had a pretty good lead, but I didn’t evidently go low enough over here and I got hung up in the middle on the last lap and I thought I was gonna throw it away on the last lap.”

Key notes: Third-starting Brad Seng took the lead on the opening lap and led twice for a total of three laps (1-2, 6) before fading to finish third at his home track. ... Winner of June's NLRA stop at River Cities, sixth-starting Tyler Peterson battled Seng for several laps, prevailing to finish in the runner-up spot, 1.366 seconds behind Strand. ... Reigning track champion Joey Pederson advanced five positions and finished fourth. ... Two-time and reigning series champion Mike Greseth gained seven spots and finished sixth. ... Jason Strand started 26th and finished ninth. … Friday's 21-minute feature was slowed by six separate incidents, with 18 drivers completing all 25 laps and 20 still running at the finish. ... The NLRA weekend doubleheader concludes with Saturday’s $1,250-to-win event at Devils Lake Speedway in Crary, N.D.

On the move: Bryce Sward of Nelson, Minn., started 22nd and finished fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Strand’s Millenium SRT Chassis is powered by Sturdy Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from 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, Carrs Grain Service, Double Deuce Sports Bar and Grill, Generations Salon, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products and Highside Truck Accessories & Sales.

Points chase: Before River Cities: 1. Mike Greseth (2,128); 2. Dustin Strand (2,084); 3. Brad Seng (2,054); 4. Brody Troftgruben (2,026); 5. Shane Edginton (2,020).

Current weather: Broken Clouds, 79°F

Car count: 26

Polesitter: Dustin Strand

Heat race winners: Rusty Kollman, Tyler Peterson, Brad Seng

Next series race: July 22, Devils Lake Speedway (Crary, ND) $1,250