Mike Spieker photo.
The first scheduled visit by the series was to be held on May 18th, but that race was lost to rain. Three races have been run in weekly competition at the 'Bullring' this season. Two-time and defending NLRA champion Ricky Weiss, driver of the No. 7 A.I.E. Communications Bloomquist, picked up the win on opening night.
This event also features the first of two scheduled appearances by 'the greatest show on dirt,' the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series at the Grand Forks oval.
This will be the sixth straight time that the NLRA has shared the spotlight with the Outlaws in June. Joey Pederson and Mike Balcaen, driver of the No. 10 Enns Brothers Black Diamond, have two of wins each. Pederson's wins came in 2013 and 2015, while Balcaen's triumph came in 2014 and 2016.
Dustin Strand is the defending champion of the event, though the feature was postponed to June 30.
Three-time track titlist Brad Seng, driver of the No. 12S Schill Construction MB Custom, sits nine markers back of the lead, with Ryan Corbett, driver of the No. C4 Diamond Lounge MasterSbilt, and four-time Speedway champ Joey Pederson, rounding out the top five.
Hot laps for both series, and qualifications for the Outlaws typically begin at 6:30.
2017 - Dustin Strand on June 16; Dustin Strand on June 30; Donny Schatz on August 18; Don Shaw on September 7
2016 - Mike Balcaen on June 17; Don Shaw on June 25; Dustin Strand on August 26; Dustin Strand on September 8
2015 - Joey Pederson on June 19; Bill Mooney on August 21; AJ Diemel on September 10
2014 - Mike Balcaen on June 20; Brad Seng on August 15; Donny Schatz on August 16; Ricky Weiss on Sept. 4
2013 - Joey Pederson in June 21; Donny Schatz on August 16; Pat Doar on September 5
2012 - Joey Pederson on August 17; John Kaanta on Sept. 6
2011 - Ricky Weiss on August 18; Adam Hensel on Sept. 8
2010 - Steve Anderson on June 19; Ricky Weiss on June 20
2009 - Brad Seng on June 19
2008 - Joey Pederson on June 13
2003 - Dave Zimmerman on August 8
2001 - Brad Seng on August 3
2000 - Mitch Johnson on May 31; Johnny Johnson on June 1; Mitch Johnson on August 18
1999 - Don Shaw on June 17; Joel Cryderman on August 19
The NLRA would like to thank Tour Sponsors: Wes' Plumbing, S&S Transport, Performance Auto, Adams Automotive & Machine, White Water Truck Wash, Day Dreams, Grand Forks Subaru/Kia, BOSS Signs & Graphics, Storbakken & Sons Construction, A&L Siding, Millar Engines, Gateway Cenex, Fastlane Racing Equipment, Q&Z Plumbing, Fargo Forum, On The Edge Graphics, Hugo's, EGF American Legion Post 157, and Contingency Sponsors: Speedway International Fuel, Hi-Per Flex, Schaeffer's Oil & Lubricants, Hoosier Tire North, and FYE Motorsports Promotion, for their support.
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