RPW Exclusive: Thunder Mountain Speedway Has Big Plans In Store For Racers & Fans In ’25

Column By: JOSEPH PHILLIPS / RPW – CENTER LISLE, NY – Center Lisle, NY is in the grips of winter.

However, the Thunder Mountain Speedway’s heating up with pre-season news!

New classes and various special events will highlight the 33rd season of racing on the Mountain.

Promoter Karl Spoonhower took a few minutes to sit down and discuss the 2025 season, class changes and minor rule adjustments. Spoonhower stated that the schedule is being finalized and will be released to the public very shortly.

The biggest changes for the 2025 season will see the 4-cylinder stock class being dropped from the schedule. Weekly car counts were always low for this class, with an average of just five cars. Open Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman, 600CC Modifeds, Factory Stock and 600CC Sprints will run weekly this coming year.

With the 4-cylinders out, Thunder will see the return of the DIRTcar 358-Modifieds and the IMCA Modifieds. These two classes will run on alternate weekends.  It is currently unknown which class will run opening night, but the other will compete the next week.

The 358’s will run under full DIRTcar rules and sanction with home track points being awarded for events at the Center Lisle, NY facility.  Drivers will need a DIRTcar membership to receive points and be eligible for any contingencies. Competitors in the IMCA class will be required to have IMCA membership.

Spoonhower’s excited for the return of the 358’s.  This will allow a chance for Sportsman drivers to get their feet wet in the Small Block Modified. With the rising costs of the 602 Crate engine, a driver may find it more cost effective to buy a used 358 and move up to the Small Block class.

Thunder Mountain has a strong contingent of Sportsman weekly and many may be wishing to advance to the more competitive Modified divisions.

The Open Modifieds will see one minor rule change with tall doors no longer being allowed. This follows the Short Track Super Series rule change that mandates DIRTcar legal bodies.  They will have one exception, however, with the use of the sail panels for this class only.

Spoonhower feels this is a common sense rule change that will benefit the smaller teams. If a driver competes in the different series, they wont have to carry two different bodies to be legal at different tracks.

May 26th will see the return of the Super DIRTcar Series to Thunder Mountain. This gives the local fans the chance to see the top drivers in the Northeast region compete on the 3/8-mile. Super DIRTcar races are always competitive and intense and in 2024, Jimmy Phelps came away victorious.

Open wheel fans will be delighted to see the return of the CRSA Sprints for two exciting events.  The Mohawk Valley and Northeastern Vintage Modifieds will also be on the schedule a couple of times in 2025.

The popular Hustle the Highway 600CC Modified Series is also being scheduled.  This division is a strong class at Thunder Mountain and when the series comes to town, it should be an epic night of racing for these competitors.

Closing out the season, will be the second annual Monster Bash. The inaugural event was held this past November and featured strong car counts and excellent racing. Typical November weather greeted the fans in attendance but event was run extremely quickly and many positive reviews were heard through out the stands.

It may be starting out cold so far in 2025, but this year will feature many hot racing events at Thunder Mountain. From full-bodied Stock Cars to Sprints and all kinds of Modifieds, Thunder will be a great place to be on Saturday nights this coming year.