What won the race: Blasting inside of race-long leader Mike Greseth as they came to complete lap 28, fourth-starting Dustin Strand of Grand Forks, N.D., led the final three laps to win Thursday's $2,404 fourth annual Howie Schill Memorial at River Cities Speedway. Strand secured his seventh Northern LateModel Racing Association victory of the season en route to his fifth career series title (2013, '15, '18, '20).

Quotable: “I didn’t really want to run through the holes like that through that feature, cause that’s hard on (equipment),” Strand said. “I knew that’s what it would take to get by him and I was kinda waiting, and waiting and I knew he was getting a tick tight. With three (laps) to go I thought better stoke it in there and try it and she stuck.”

Key notes: Strand, back-to-back River Cities track champ, notched his 36th career NLRA victory and ended the season with four straight series wins. ... Three-time defending tour champ Mike Greseth led the opening 27 laps from the pole before giving way to Strand and taking the checkers 0.476 of a second back. ... Aaron Turnbull started and finished third in his first Late Model start since Aug. 20, 2022's Golden Hammer Classic at Devils Lake Speedway in Crary, N.D. ... Tyler Peterson battled to take sixth on the final lap after winning the modified feature there earlier in the evening. ... Defending Prelude to the Johnny winner A.J. Diemel gained four spots and placed eighth. ... Scott Greer rebounded to 20th after spinning to bring out the race's second caution on lap two. ... John Seng slowed abruptly on the first lap and pulled off to become the first retiree. ... Todd Frank spun to cause the third and final stoppage on lap 20 before calling it a night. ... The race honored Howie Schill, of West Fargo, N.D., the first-ever Late Model track champion at River Cities and the first-ever NLRA feature winner; he died of a stroke on Dec. 25, 2020, at the age of 55. ... The 30-lapper lasted 15 minutes, with 18 drivers completing the distance and 22 running at the finish. ... Thursday's action kicks off the 18th annual John Seitz Memorial at River Cities, culminating with Saturday's $9,200-to-win WISSOTA Late Model special.

On the move: Chad Becker of Aberdeen, S.D., started 11th and finished fifth.

Winner's sponsors: Strand’s SRT Millenium Chassis is powered by a Strudy Racing Engine and sponsored by Walhalla Building Center, Q&Z Plumbing & Heating, Keewatin Truck Service, Freije Farms, Bemidji Welder’s Supply, Double Deuce Bar & Grill, Shocker Hitch Air Ride, Highside Truck Accessories & Sales, Generations Salon & Spa, Carr’s Grain Service, Naastad Acres, Jason Strand Farms, Flagstaff Nissan Subaru and The Bun Lounge.

Points chase: Dustin Strand of Grand Forks, N.D., clinched his fifth career NLRA series title (2013, '15, '18, '20).

Current weather: Scattered Clouds, 55°F

Car count: 60

Polesitter: Mike Greseth

Heat race winners: Sammy Mars, Dustin Strand, Mike Greseth, Tyler Peterson, Shane Edginton, Jeff Massingill

Consolation race winners: Chad Mahder, Jake Redetzke

Provisional starters: Brandon Corbett, Rusty Kollman, Joey Pederson, Ryan Dahl, Josh Skorczewski