RPW Exclusive: Thunder Mountain’s Monster Bash on Tap For Oct. 31 and Nov. 1st
Exclusive By: JOE PHILIPS / RPW – CENTER LISLE, NY – Thunder Mountain Speedway in Center Lisle, NY roars back to life on October 31st and November 1st for the Second Annual “Monster Bash”. Two days of racing are on tap, featuring Open Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman, 600cc Modifieds and Sprints, IMCA Modifieds and the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series.
New on the card this year on Friday night is the Ed and Jan Billings Classic for the NY-Penn IMCA Modified Series. This race pays $3016 to win and $225 to start. A strong field of IMCA cars are expected to make the trek to the mountain for this event. Friday evening also plays host to the $2,000-to-win, 40-lap “Hustlin’ the Highway” Series for the 600cc Modifieds, and the $1,500-to-win, 40-lap Chad Sindoni Memorial for the Factory Stocks. Modified and Sportsman will also participate on Friday with practice and timed hot lap sessions.
The action picks up on Saturday, as the Stafursky Paving Modifieds headline with a 40-lap, $4,000-to-win feature. Prior to the modified feature, the DIRTcar Sportsman, Eagle Ridge 600cc Modifieds, and the vintage cars will also compete.
Since it is Halloween weekend, trick or treating will be held throughout the speedway property, and a costume contest will be held near the flag stand. Thunder Mountain is a very family friendly facility, and events like this are nice for the kids.
While Thunder Mountain has been somewhat quiet, work is already being done behind the scenes to improve the facility. Currently, new clay is being staged at the track. After Monster Bash weekend, the clay will be laid down. This will give it adequate time to bind to the surface over the winter months. Karl Spoonhower mentioned that the new clay came from the same source as the previous clay. The track has been tabletop smooth and very racy during the 2025 season, so adding a fresh layer of clay should help kick off 2026 in style.
The Thunder Mountain regulars have also been busy so far in the off season. Jeremy Smith Racing’s Darren Smith competed in both the 358 and big block classes during Super Dirt Week at Oswego Speedway. Darren finished 14th in the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 and also earned a 6th place finish in the Salute to the Troops 150. Both the small block and big block features were won by “Money” Mat Williamson, who also happened to win the Wade Decker Memorial at Thunder Mountain back on Labor Day weekend.
A few weeks ago saw the Short Track Super Series at the Afton Motorsports Park, for the HYTORC of New York North Region Short Track Supernationals 16 “Working Mans Race”. Several Thunder Mountain regulars were on hand for that program, such as 2025 Thunder Mountain DIRTcar Sportsman Track Champion Matt Brewer, and Brandon Loucks who finished 2nd in the Open Modified points this summer. Other Thunder regulars that competed were Cody Higbie, Daniel Morgiewicz, Jimmy Zacharias and Rich Talada.
Higbie won the event, behind the wheel of his family-owned Handsome Devil BBQ #97. Higbie dominated the race and was joined by his father and grandfather in victory lane. With the victory, Cody joined his father Jerry as the only Father/Son duo to score victories in the history of the Short Track Super Series.
Talada decided to jump up into the open modified ranks near the end of the regular season at Thunder Mountain. Having made the leap from crate sportsman so recently, Talada has been hitting various tracks in an effort to get much needed seat time with the new motor and car setup.
2025 will be Ali Scutt’s last season in the 600cc Modified class. Scutt was offered a ride in the Patrick Lynch owned crate sportsman for 2026. Scutt was always a tough competitor in the 600 modifieds, and should be strong making the leap to the full size cars next year.
Sadly, 600cc Mod driver Samuel Usborne passed away recently on October 6th. Sam was a former highway superintendent and a long time firefighter. Sam crewed many years at local asphalt tracks such as Shangri La Speedway in Owego, NY and Oswego Speedway. Sam switched to dirt in 2010 and finished his driving career at Thunder Mountain Speedway in 2024. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
While the weather is cooling down, the conclusion of the 2025 season is rapidly approaching. Grab those extra layers and thermos of hot cocoa and come on out to Thunder Mountain Speedway for the Monster Bash festivities at the end of the month.
Local racetracks are where it’s at!
