CENTER LISLE, NY – Changes are in store as Thunder Mountain Speedway works through its rebuilding year in 2014.

On Monday, returning speedway owner Karl Spoonhower announced some rules amendments and incentives for the three-eighths-mile clay oval in Center Lisle, N.Y., for the big-block/small-block Modified, Sportsman and Rookie Sportsman divisions.

The most significant change comes with the tire rule for the three open-wheel divisions. Starting Saturday, June 7, softer compound American Racer tires - SD 33 (left-rear) and SD 38 (right-rear) - and harder will be permitted. The rule had been minimum SD 44 (left-rear) and SD 48 (right-rear) from the start of the ’14 season. Front tires will remain SD 33 and harder.

Spoonhower felt it was time for a change. The tire rule alteration applies to Modified, Sportsman and Rookie Sportsman racers.

“The tires we’ve been running are just too hard for the track,” Spoonhower said after speaking with competitors on Saturday night. “The guys are out there spinning their wheels. It doesn’t make for good racing and it’s hard on the track, too.

“I think the softer tires will make it a lot easier for the drivers to get a hold of the surface and the fans will see better racing as a result. Our track is so soft, even the 33-38 compound tires aren’t going to wear out.”