Tired of being told your program isn't "big enough" for a partnership with a major brand? In this episode, we sit down with Troy Green, Midwest Sales Rep for Maxima Racing Oil and a 25-year engine building veteran, to discuss why Maxima is shifting away from pro-level banners to invest in the volume and loyalty of grassroots racers. Troy pulls back the curtain on how you can act as a marketing extension for a global brand, proving that your value isn't just a sticker—it's in the content you create and the connections you already have.

WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:

-- BOTTOM-UP BRANDING: Why Maxima is focusing on grassroots volume over "banners on fences" and how you can position your program as a high-value asset for a brand’s sales goals.

-- THE ENGINE BUILDER BACKDOOR: A masterclass in B2B networking—how to use your race car as a "test mule" to help a sponsor convert your engine builder.

-- SOCIAL MEDIA ETIQUETTE: Why leaving a competing product in the background of your video can kill a renewal, and how to use proper tagging to ensure the corporate marketing team actually sees your hard work.

-- THE DISCOUNT AUDITION: The secret to moving from a discount program to free product status, and why the hardest-working teams are always the ones promoted first.

-- COMMUNICATION VS. JEALOUSY: How the "ugly word" of jealousy between teams destroys programs, and why you should pick up the phone to talk to your rep instead of making assumptions about the guy next to you.

-- INTEGRITY AS A CAREER: Troy’s final advice on why being "straight up," respectful, and honest will carry your racing career further than any trophy count ever could.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: We are gearing up for our next Ask Me Anything episode! What is one specific hurdle in your racing business that you want us to tackle? Leave a comment with a question you want answered in the next Ask Me Anything episode.

READY TO TURN YOUR LOSSES INTO LESSONS?

-- JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Visit racerondemand.us for resources, including how to sign up for your free merch storefront.

-- CONNECT WITH US: Find us on social media to share your biggest takeaway from Troy’s industry-leading perspective.

-- SUPPORT THE SHOW: Leave us a review to help us keep bringing you these high-level industry insights!

You asked, and we answered. In this episode, Amanda and Megan ditch the guest chair and go straight to the community — tackling the real sponsorship questions you've been sending in through social media. From getting on a sponsor's radar to knowing what to charge, this is the straight-talk episode you didn't know you needed.

WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:
-- HOW TO GET SEEN BY SPONSORS: Why waiting to be "discovered" on Instagram is a dead-end strategy, and the real behind-the-scenes legwork that gets you in front of the right people.
-- QUALIFYING YOUR SPONSOR TARGETS: The two-step filter every racer should use before reaching out to a brand — and why approaching companies you don't actually use is the fastest way to lose the conversation.
-- RACING LESS, EARNING MORE: How racers with only two or three events per season can still build a compelling sponsorship package by getting creative with off-track assets and local activations.
-- FOLLOWERS VS. BUYING INTENT: Why chasing a massive social media following might actually work against you, and how to turn a small, engaged audience into your most powerful sales tool with the right data.
-- WHAT TO CHARGE: How to take the emotion out of money and price your program based on the real-world value you deliver — including a formula for knowing when your ask is actually too low.
-- THE SURVEY STRATEGY: The single most underrated tool in a racer's sponsorship toolkit, and how asking the right questions at the track can open doors with sponsors who have nothing to do with motorsports.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: Drop your biggest sponsorship question in the comments — we're doing another Ask Me Anything style episode and your question could be answered on air!

READY TO TURN YOUR LOSSES INTO LESSONS?
-- JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Visit racerondemand.us for resources, including how to sign up for your free merch storefront.
-- CONNECT WITH US: Find us on social media and share your biggest takeaway from today's episode.
-- SUPPORT THE SHOW: Leave us a review to help us keep bringing you these straight-from-the-trenches sponsorship insights!

How do you bridge the gap between being a local racer and becoming a professional brand that a championship-winning team wants to represent? In this episode, we are joined by Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, CEO of JR Motorsports and one of the most influential business minds in racing. Kelley pulls back the curtain on how the Earnhardt family built a multi-generational legacy by focusing on the business side of the sport, offering a masterclass in professionalizing your program from the grassroots up.

WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:

-- THE EVOLUTION OF SPONSORSHIP: Why the "sticker on a car" era is over and how modern racers must provide value through digital activations and measurable brand representation.

-- THE BRANDABILITY FACTOR: The specific personality traits and professional habits that make a driver "marketable" to major corporate partners regardless of their trophy count.

-- NETWORKING FOR THE LONG GAME: How casual interactions today can lead to life-changing opportunities years down the road, and why you should never stop building your "bank of people."

-- MERCHANDISING STRATEGY: Kelley’s advice on building a fan base through apparel without falling into the "dreaded word" of over-inventory.

-- SPONSOR RETENTION: The critical communication steps many racers skip after the contract is signed and how to keep a partner engaged for the long term.

-- MANAGING EXPECTATIONS: Advice for racing parents on balancing competitive drive with family life and ensuring the next generation stays grounded.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: Kelley mentioned that success in racing is often about the "bank of people" you build. Who is one person in the industry you’ve been hesitant to reach out to? Tell us in the comments.

READY TO TURN YOUR LOSSES INTO LESSONS?

-- JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Visit racerondemand.us for resources, including how to sign up for your free merch storefront.

-- CONNECT WITH US: Find us on social media to share your biggest takeaway from Kelley’s industry-leading perspective.

-- SUPPORT THE SHOW: Leave us a review to help us keep bringing you these high-level industry insights!