Two months into South Boston Speedway’s 2016 season there are at least a couple of things glaringly obvious. Offseason rules changing are having a huge impact and the racing is better than ever at the historic Southern Virginia track.

The car-count in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Late Model Series has been strong to say the least. After seven races, the average starting field is 25 cars, with highs of 31, 28 and 27. The low was 20.

The reason for the consistently large fields? Rules changes for the 2016 season that made racing significantly more affordable. A new two-tire rule cut tire expenses in half while an increased purse structure guarantees Late Model drivers $500 per race night.

The combination of the two changes have not only brought more cars to the division, they have also brought closer competition.

Sure, points leader Matt Bowling has won four of seven races so far, but consider this: in the two opening-night wins, he led fewer than 15 laps; two weeks ago he was racing four-wide for the lead with 25 laps to go when two of those four crashed leaving the fourth turn.

Two-wide racing has become the norm at South Boston this season. Three-wide is not unusual. Four-wide is not recommended, but is happening often.

While Bowling’s four wins have given him a 44-point lead in the track championship race, the next three spots, Mark Wertz, Austin Thaxton and Peyton Sellers, are separated by just 15 points.

In an interesting note, Wertz is second in the points without a win, while Sellers is in fourth without a win.

Possibly the biggest surprises of the season have been Justin Carroll and Danny Willis, and at least some of their success can be attributed to the rule changes. Carroll is fifth in the standings, Willis a spot back.

The 20-year-old Carroll has run outside of the top 10 since his career began three years ago, but this year has become a regular among the front-runners. He says the big difference has been extra money to spend on his racing operation.

Willis moved up to Late Models this season after years of dominating the Limited Division at South Boston. Again, he was helped by money saved with the two-tire rule and the $500 to start rule change. He’s been on the verge of winning with a strong second-place showing several weeks ago.

Racing returns to South Boston Speedway Saturday night with the Bojangles NASCAR Late Model 100 racing program.