Strand passed both Troftgruben in his No. 14 R&R Const. Longhorn and Anderson in his No. 9 Devils Lake Speedway MB Custom on the second lap to take the lead.
With five laps in the books, Strand already had built about a straightaway lead and was beginning to reel in the tail end of the field and start working lap traffic for the first time while Anderson and Troftgruben went door-to-door for second.
Strand was in heavy lap traffic coming off turn four with seven laps complete when the first caution of the race reset the field.
On the ensuing restart Shane Edginton became the new runner-up in the Performance Auto No. 5E as he and Troftgruben now rounded out the podium while Strand continued to lead.
Another caution with ten laps complete gave Edginton his first shot at Strand for the lead. Strand continued to run middle to high while Edginton worked the bottom to perfection, showing his nose on a number of occasions, but never quite being able to take the top spot through the midway point.
Strand was again working lap traffic coming to five to go when Edginton and Troftgruben made contact in the battle for the second spot setting up one final restart.
Edginton and Kevin Robertson in MLGC 10R went door-to-door for the second spot as Strand continued on for his 30th feature win with the series.
“It’s pretty cool to be second on the all-time wins list,” Strand said post-race. “The car was really good. I was a little worried after last night, we kinda tore up the car and the guys worked their tails off and got things put together. Then you always have it in the back of your mind, “is it going to be as good?” But it might be better, I don't know. My car was awesome tonight though.”
Edginton and Robertson continued past the line in second and third respectively. Cole Schill in the No. 44 Mid Ag Dispatch MB Custom and Cole Babcock in the No. 2* Wicked Wraps and Fab RocketXR1 completed the top five.
Strand, Anderson, Troftgruben, and Edginton were the heat winners. 25 cars entered for competition at Devils Lake.
The series returns to action on May 25th and 26th with the series debut at Dead Horse Creek Speedway in Morden, MB for the McNaught Cup.
The NLRA would like to thank tour sponsors, Performance Auto, Wes’ Plumbing, S & S Transport, Adams Automotive and Machine, White Water Truck Wash, Grand Forks Subaru/Kia, Signs by deSigns, Storbakken & Sons Construction, Millar Engines, Gateway Cenex, SRT Specialties, Q & Z Plumbing, Fargo Forum, Hugo’s Family Marketplace, EGF American Legion Post 157, Greg’s Lawn Care, Checkered Flag Services, Smeby Construction, Advanced Drain Systems, Signature Graphics & Apparel, and contingency sponsors, Performance Auto, Schaeffer’s Oil & Lubricants, Hoosier Tire North, and FYE Motorsports Promotion, for their continued support.