What is actually happening on the other side of your sponsorship pitch? In this episode, we are joined by Josh Wiese, a business development expert at a Fortune 300 company and former host of the Sponsored Rider Club podcast. Josh brings a perspective that most racers never get access to: the reality of how massive corporate budgets are actually managed and moved.

WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:

-- THE REALITY OF CORPORATE BUDGETS: Why your sponsorship proposal might be competing against a new set of office chairs or an internal social media hire rather than another race team.

-- THINKING LIKE A CONTRACTOR: Shifting your mindset from "seeking support" to becoming a professional service provider that solves specific business problems.

-- BEYOND THE END CUSTOMER: How racers can provide massive value through B2B (business-to-business) connections and supplier relationships that have nothing to do with stickers on a car.

-- PROTECTING THE BRAND: The "checkered past" and social media pitfalls that can kill a sponsorship deal in 15 minutes, even after 15 years of building trust.

-- THE POWER OF RAW CONTENT: Why Josh would rather see you post a "goofy" behind-the-scenes blooper or a technical explanation than a highly produced drone shot.

-- STANDING OUT: How to use specific "visual cues" and unique personal branding to ensure you are memorable in a sea of generic pitches.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: We are still gauging interest in an in-person sponsorship conference or workshop! If you would find value in a live event to help build your program, please let us know in the comments or via social media.

READY TO TURN YOUR LOSSES INTO LESSONS?

-- JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Visit racerondemand.us for resources, including the shortened "Motorsports Marketing and Sponsorship" ebook.

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

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

If you want 2026 to be the year your race program finally operates like a professional business, you have to stop "spraying and praying" and start executing with intention. In this episode, Amanda and Megan go behind the scenes of their own planning boards to share the specific business targets, personal milestones, and industry-wide missions they are tackling this year. From massive partnership goals to the "Power of 20," this is the blueprint for a high-performance season that lasts long after the checkered flag.

WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:

-- THE $50,000 PARTNERSHIP CHALLENGE: We aren't just aiming for logos; we’ve set a target to help the racing community secure $50,000 in new partnerships this year through focused, solution-based outreach.

-- THE POWER OF 20: Megan breaks down her "20" goal strategy—connecting with 20 new female industry leaders, reading 20 books, and conquering 20 pull-ups—to prove that personal discipline is the engine behind professional success.

-- RACER ON DEMAND’S 2026 MISSION: Amanda shares her vision to support 100 racers through the platform and the ambitious goal of paying out $10,000 directly back into the racing community.

-- BUILDING BRAND EQUITY: We discuss moving beyond "support" and focusing on entry-level partnerships and creative activations—like dealership events—to build long-term value for brands.

-- THE KNOWLEDGE GAP: With the landscape of sponsorship education shifting, we discuss our commitment to keeping high-level professional resources alive and accessible for grassroots racers.

-- BIG GOAL BREAKDOWN: We share our step-by-step process for reverse-engineering a massive vision into a manageable, year-long roadmap. Learn how to turn "someday" dreams into a checklist of actionable tasks that drive professional results.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: In this episode, we talk about the idea of hosting an in-person event or conference for the racing community. Would you find value in a live, face-to-face workshop to help build your program? Leave a comment and let us know!

READY TO LEVEL UP FOR 2026?

-- JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Visit racerondemand.us to see how we can help you hit your merch and partnership goals.

-- CONNECT WITH US: Find us on Facebook and Instagram to share your #1 goal for the upcoming season.

-- SUPPORT THE SHOW: If this episode gave you a "nugget" of value, please leave a review to help us reach more racers!

What does a major brand like AMSOIL actually look for in a racer? In this episode, we sit down with Sara Oettinger, Marketing Manager at AMSOIL, to pull back the curtain on high-level motorsports marketing. Sara shares why traditional "gold, silver, and bronze" sponsorship packages are a thing of the past and explains how racers can become true extensions of a brand's marketing team.

WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:

-- THE RACING ECOSYSTEM: Understand the balance between series, influencers, and racers, and how you fit into a brand’s "giant puzzle."

-- VALUE VS. BUDGET: Why a brand’s appreciation for your work doesn't always equate to their available budget—and how to navigate that conversation.

-- SPOTTING THE GAPS: Learn how to identify what a brand is missing in their current strategy and position yourself as the solution.

-- DISCRETIONARY EFFORT: Sara shares real-world examples of grassroots racers who stood out by showing passion and effort that went beyond a signed contract.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a grassroots racer, Sara’s "Sara-isms" and unique perspective from 15 years in talent acquisition offer a masterclass in relationship building and professional networking.

STOP SELLING LOGOS AND START BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS.

AMSOIL's Preferred Racer Program: https://blog.amsoil.com/preferred-racer-program