Here’s how Benjamin Mott jumped from outside the top 25 and into the top 4 in driver reward points
There will be no Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series provisionals handed out for the 2018 Dirt Million at Mansfield Motor Speedway this weekend. Instead, the provisional starting spots are handed out via driver reward points.
The top 4 drivers in the points have the opportunity to fall back on a provisional if they need to. If one of those four drivers transfer into the race on their own then it goes to the 5th guy on the list. Those are: Max Blair, Scott Bloomquist, Bobby Pierce and Benjamin Mott
After week 22, Benjamin Mott wasn’t listed in the top 25 of driver reward points. Following week 23, he jumped all the way to the third position. After week 25 of 25, he sits 4th on the chart. That will give Benjamin Mott a gauranteed starting spot in the 2018 Dirt Million.
How did he do that?
Mott put together a hospitality package that included over 200 people. He worked with track promoter Cody Sommer for several months on the package. It all came together on week 23 and as a result he jumped into a provisional starting spot.
Benjamin Mott works for Snap-on Tools. He manages the 61 franchisees that cover Northern Ohio. Mansfield Motor Speedway sits right in the center of those locations.
“I started working with Cody several months ago to put a package together that met the concerns my franchisees have had with past events at other venues,” Benjamin Mott explained to RacingNews.co .
However, with the program in place, Mott still had to talk his franchisees into attending. In previous years, Mott has put together hospitality packages for the NHRA race. This year, it’s been moved to the dirt track.
“We have a strong drag racing following with Snap-on’s support of Cruz Pedregon. We have a strong drag racing following with Snap-on’s support of Cruz Pedregon so to try an oval track race on dirt was quite challenging. This was a difficult task to accomplish since this event is above and beyond what we normally offer.”
“We actually cancelled the NHRA event this year due to not enough franchisees participation which created the demand for doing something that we hadn’t done before.”
“One of my main responsibilities is to help my franchisee grow their business and service their customers.”
“My franchisees have been requesting that we do something different than just our local NHRA event. Being a dirt late model racer, I know the Dirt Million could be a great option for my franchisees and their customers. I know Cody puts on an amazing event. I have attended the last two races in the dome, once as a fan, and last year with my late model.”
“My goal is to make this a yearly event for us and continue to grow it but it’s really up to the franchisees if they want to do it or not.”
In total, 11 franchisees will be hosting 200 of their customers this weekend at the Dirt Million. Benjamin Mott was the man behind the package. As a result, he’s been given the reward points. Now, he’ll be starting the 2018 Dirt Million.
Dirt Million
The Dirt Million is a one of a kind dirt racing event. As of Tuesday, the race will pay $3,710 just to start the main event. The winner will hit the road with $185,523. It’s the second highest dirt race of all-time.
It’s a race that’s funded by the race fans. A percentage of every ticket goes to the purse. But, it’s far more than tickets. The race website allows fans to purchase fuel, tires, entry fees and pit pass for their drivers. In addition, every pierce of merchandise they buy, goes toward the escalation of the purse.
“I think this event is going to be amazing for Dirt Late Model Racing. The marketing and the way racers and fans can see how each purchase they make helps the overall purse grow. This will be an exciting event,” Mott stated. “Everything Cody has done for the franchisees, the fans, and racing in general has been fantastic.
Mott has raced with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in the past. Last year he raced with the tour when it swung to the Ohio area. In 2017, Mott ran the Lucas race at Mansfield Motor Speedway and Muskingum County Speedway.
“I have not raced with LOLMDS this year due to a wreck in June which kept us out of the LOLMDS shows around Ohio before July 4th.”
“I do not have a team of people who helps me. My wife is usually the one who helps while at the track. I’m self-funded. I’m thankful for the opportunity to race in the main event if I can maintain my point’s standings.”
“While racing in the event would be a dream come true my main goal for the weekend is that my franchisees and their customers have a great time and enjoy themselves so they will go to more dirt races in the future. None of this would be possible without my franchisees, their customers and Cody Sommer,” Mott concluded.