CENTER LISLE, N.Y. — Mother Nature washed out the official season opener the last two weeks, and on Saturday night, she tried again.
This time, however, Thunder Mountain Speedway prevailed. Following a mid-evening rain shower, the program was delayed but ultimately completed, with Matt Smith grabbing his first win of the 2026 season in the Dirt Track Digest TV 35-lap Modified main event.
The modified feature got underway with Byron Worthing using a three-wide move in turns three and four to go from third to first on the opening lap.
Worthing remained out front with Nick Nye close behind, while Matt Smith worked his way forward from the seventh starting position. The battle intensified as Nye nearly grabbed the lead on lap nine, while Smith moved into third.
By the halfway point, lapped traffic became a factor for the lead duo, allowing Smith to close the gap. The three drivers battled through traffic with Worthing continuing to hold the top spot.
With 15 laps remaining, Smith was firmly in the mix. He worked the cushion while Worthing and Nye raced around the inside lane of the speedway. Smith stayed within striking distance before finally driving by for the lead on lap 25.
Smith led the remainder of the race to score the victory. Nye came home second after getting by Worthing late in the event, with Worthing settling for third. Darren Smith and Brandon Loucks completed the top five.
Other winners on the night were Tony Finch III in the DIRTcar Sportsman division, Tom Donahue in the 600cc Modifieds, Damon Decker in the Factory Stocks, and Zach Bobbett in the 600cc Sprints.
