Get To Know Our Staff Blog Series- Ben May, President

“Leadership, Hard Work and Friendship: Getting to Know Our President, Ben May”

Written by: Chrissi Wolosz – Coordinator, Marketing Communications

Pocono Raceway (May 1, 2020) – Although not a relative to the Igdalsky and Mattioli families, Ben May’s relationship with them starts in 1995 while attending Elon College (now Elon University) in North Carolina. May and the Raceway’s current CEO, Nick Igdalsky, became friends while living in the same dorm hall freshman year of college. A North Carolina-native growing up roughly four hours east from the heart of NASCAR, Ben surprisingly did not grow up a racing fan. Little did he know his friendship with Nick would lead Ben to his ongoing 19-year career in the motorsport industry. 

His time at Elon is the start of it all – giving Ben a glimpse into his future career and life. Ben was introduced to Cory, his college girlfriend who would later become his wife and spring breaks were his time to travel to the track with Nick, helping out at Pocono Raceway.  

Upon graduating, Cory and Ben continued their relationship from afar, both returning to their hometowns, Cory to New Jersey and Ben to Greenville, NC. For the start of his professional career, Ben started working for a North Carolina Credit Union as a loan provider. Although banking was not the ideal job to be in, he looks back at the value what he learned in the position. A year and a half later, he was asked to help out at the track once more, but in a permanent position. This is the change Ben needed. Anxious to take on a new career path, Ben accepted the position to work at Pocono Raceway which also meant closing the distance gap in his relationship with Cory.  

May got his start at the track in 2001 with our sister company, Mountain Concessions. But he was not limited to his newly position. Ben helped where help was needed – Sales, Marketing, you name it. His dedication, attention to detail and ability to manage individuals fast tracked Ben’s career here. After a 10-plus year term with Mountain Concessions, he made the long haul (literally down the hall) to Pocono Raceway and was named as our Chief Marketing Officer for the Raceway.

His new executive role came more responsibility, including both Pocono Raceway and another track owned by the Igdalsky and Mattioli families. Ben managed the Sales, Marketing and Public Relations of Pocono Raceway while also overseeing the Operations of Concessions at South Boston Speedway. Fun Fact: For those who do not know, South Boston Speedway is a short track in Virginia owned and operated by the Mattioli and Igdalsky Family. In 2017, Pocono Raceway underwent organizational restructuring and Ben was promoted to his current role as President.

Ben has called the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania home for the last 19 years. He is happily married to his college sweetheart Cory, currently a nurse for St. Luke’s Hospital, and together they have two children – Nate and Claire. One thing everyone should know about Ben is his passion of being a father. Nate and Claire keep Cory and Ben on their toes with their unique, individual personalities and wide imaginations. Away from the track life, Ben May enjoys his time on local golf courses and, as the kids get older, he hopes to introduce them to more outdoor activities such as skiing – there is no shortage of slopes in this area.

Next time you and your family visit the track, be sure to say hi to Ben! You are bound to spot Ben interacting with fans and welcoming everyone at the gates. At our family-run-and-operated track, and Ben can attest to this better than anyone, everyone is always welcomed like family. I bet in their college days Nick likely told Ben, “Hey come with me to the racetrack. You may not know what you are getting into, but you are going to love it!” Nearly two decades later, this statement holds true for Ben who throughout enjoys working with our staff and for our fans.