Modified Purse Increase Planned For The Southern Tier’s Saturday Leader; Thunder Mountain Speedway Prepares For 2016 With Modifieds Receiving $175 To Start; Competitors Eligible For American Racer Cup
Story By:Brett Deyo/BD Motorsports Media Photos By:Dave Dalesandro/Racersguide.com
CENTER LISLE, NY – The Southern Tier of New York state is flooded with speedways operating on Saturday nights.
One, however, stands out above the rest.
Thunder Mountain Speedway – rescued from near demise three years ago by its founder Karl Spoonhower – has emerged as a leader in the region with strong attendance and growing car counts. The 2015 campaign was among the most successful in the speedway’s history, launching into the off-season with a wave of momentum.
For 2016, racing at the three-eighths-mile Center Lisle facility will be even more lucrative.
The speedway’s management team has announced a purse increase for weekly big-block/small-block Modified competition. The division’s 30-lap feature events will now pay $175 to take the green flag on a regular basis.
“Our car count improved last year and we wanted to give back to our racers,” said Spoonhower, who manages Thunder Mountain’s operations with BD Motorsports Media LLC. “Paying more back through the field should keep our racers coming back when they have a bad night.”
Thunder Mountain offers $1,200 to win on a regular basis. For 2016, there will be three events paying $1,500 to win, one offering a $1,776 winner’s share (July 3) and another at $1,992 to win (April 30). The track championship will pay a minimum of $5,000 at year-end.
Twice during the season, the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP will visit (May 28 ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ and September 18 Wade Decker Memorial) racing for $5,000 to win, $1,000 for 10th and $400 to start on each occasion.
Also, for the first time Thunder Mountain Speedway Modified competitors will be eligible for the American Racer Cup program in ’16 with potential cash, tire giveaways and contingency awards up for grabs.
The Thunder Mountain Speedway season is slated to begin on Saturday, April 23 with an open practice session. The following Saturday, April 30, is the Season Opener paying $1,992 to win for the Modifieds plus Open Sportsman, Crate 602 Sportsman, Rookie Sportsman, Street Stocks, XCel 600 Modifieds and FWD Four Cylinders.
For Thunder Mountain Speedway general information and a complete schedule, visit www.thundermtnspeedway.com. The speedway office number is 607.657.8202. On race day, call 607.849.7899. The speedway e-mail is thundermtnspeedway@gmail.com. “Like” Thunder Mountain Speedway on Facebook or follow @thundermtnspeed on Twitter.
Thunder Mountain Speedway is located at 91 Hunts Corners Road Center Lisle, NY 13797, approximately 25 miles north of Binghamton. The three-eighths-mile clay oval features hillside concrete seating, free parking and camping, a variety of concession items and novelties, a family environment and more
