Sponsorship
How to Run a Sponsorship Call That Actually Converts
Most racers pitch on the first sponsorship call and lose the deal. Here's the agenda, the questions, and the close that make a sponsorship call convert.
Jett Johnson·August 13, 2026
Blog
Racing tips, sponsorship advice, and real stories from the track.
LFR
Getting Started
Racing Flags Explained: A Beginner's Track Day Guide
Racing flags explained for beginners — every flag you'll see at an HPDE or club race, what each one means, and the three that new drivers get wrong.
Jett Johnson·August 13, 2026
LFR
Sponsorship
Your Second Racing Sponsor Is Easier Than Your First
The first racing sponsor is the brutal one. Here's the compounding math on why the second is easier — and how to make sponsor number one pay for it.
Jett Johnson·August 13, 2026
Getting Started
Do You Need a Roll Cage for a Track Day? The Real Rules
Do you need a roll cage for a track day? Usually not. Here are the real HPDE, convertible, and wheel-to-wheel rules, and what a cage actually costs.
Jett Johnson·August 12, 2026
LFR
Sponsorship
How to Write a Race Recap Sponsors Will Actually Share
Your sponsor shouldn't learn how the weekend went from Instagram. Here's how to write a race recap for sponsors: the format, the timing, and the photos.
Jett Johnson·August 12, 2026
LFR
Sponsorship
What to Send a Sponsor Mid-Season So They Renew
Most sponsors hear from a racer twice: at signing and at renewal. Here are five things to send a sponsor mid-season so renewal happens without asking.
Jett Johnson·August 12, 2026
LFR
Track Guides
The 3 Colorado Race Tracks Every New Driver Should Run
Colorado has three road courses, and one closes after 2026. Here's what High Plains, Pueblo, and PPIR each teach a new driver, and the order to run them.
Jett Johnson·August 11, 2026
Sponsorship
The One-Page Sponsorship Agreement Every Racer Needs
Handshake sponsor deals fall apart mid-season. Here's the one-page sponsorship agreement that protects a racer — seven plain-English terms, no lawyer-speak.
Jett Johnson·August 11, 2026
LFR
Driver Development
Track Day Beginner Mistakes That Cost Time and Money
The track day beginner mistakes that quietly cost you lap time and money — and the fix for each, from boiling brake fluid to where your eyes are pointed.
Jett Johnson·August 11, 2026
LFR
Sponsorship
How to Get Your First Racing Sponsor (30-Day Plan)
A realistic 30-day plan to land your first racing sponsor: build the list, write the one-pager, send the emails, and know what day 30 should look like.
Jett Johnson·August 10, 2026
LFR
Sponsorship
6 Slides to Delete From Your Sponsorship Deck
Most decks lose the room on slides that never should have existed. Here are six slides to delete from your sponsorship deck, and what to put in their place.
Jett Johnson·August 10, 2026
LFR
Kart to Car
Teen Mazda Challenge Explained: Should Your Kid Do It?
Teen Mazda Challenge explained for parents: how NASA's young-driver Spec Miata program works, who qualifies, what it really costs, and who it's right for.
Jett Johnson·August 10, 2026
LFR
Getting Started
How to Get Free Track Time (Without Begging for It)
Free track time is real, but it's a trade, not a favor. Here's how corner working, instructing, and a few cheap workarounds get you seat time on no budget.
Jett Johnson·August 9, 2026
LFR
Racing Costs
How Do Amateur Racers Afford It? The Honest Answer
How do amateur racers afford it? Real season numbers, the five ways grassroots drivers actually pay for racing, and what a Colorado season costs.
Jett Johnson·August 9, 2026
LFR
Sponsorship
What a Race Team Delivers for $2,500 (Line by Line)
A $2,500 racing sponsorship, itemized. Every deliverable a grassroots race team can actually hand a brand, what it replaces, and how to package it.
Jett Johnson·August 9, 2026
LFR
Track Guides
Pueblo Motorsports Park: What to Know Before You Run It
A Pueblo Motorsports Park track guide: the 2.2-mile, 10-turn layout, open lapping costs, gate rules, altitude, and what catches first-timers out.
Jett Johnson·August 8, 2026
LFR
Parents
Questions Every Racing Parent Should Ask a Race Team
The questions parents should ask a racing team before signing anything: who coaches, who pays for damage, what gets billed later, and how they handle a bad day.
Jett Johnson·August 8, 2026
LFR
Sponsorship
We Ranked Every Sponsor Objection (and the Comeback)
Six sponsor objections ranked from deal-still-alive to let-it-go, with the exact comeback line for each one. Most of the nos you get are really just timing.
Jett Johnson·August 8, 2026
LFR
Getting Started
Best First Race Car: What Actually Matters When You Buy
The best first race car isn't the fastest or the cheapest one. It's the class with cars on your local grid. Here's how to choose, with real numbers.
Jett Johnson·August 7, 2026
LFR
Behind the Scenes
Racing Driver Fitness at Home: The No-Gym Plan
Racing driver fitness at home, no gym required. What the research says your neck, core, and heat tolerance really need, plus a weekly plan that costs nothing.
Jett Johnson·August 7, 2026
LFR
Sponsorship
The 3 Numbers Sponsors Want Before Your Lap Times
Sponsors ask for three numbers before they ever ask how fast you are. Here's what they are, where to find yours, and why your lap times come fourth.
Jett Johnson·August 7, 2026
Sponsorship
Cold DM vs Cold Email: Sponsor Outreach Tier List
Cold DM or cold email? We ranked every way to make first contact with a racing sponsor, S through F, using 2026 response-rate data. The winner isn't a channel.
Jett Johnson·August 6, 2026
LFR
Track Guides
High Plains Raceway: A Track Guide for First-Timers
A High Plains Raceway track guide for first-timers — the 2.55-mile layout, real lapping day costs, altitude and wind, and what catches new drivers out.
Jett Johnson·August 6, 2026
LFR
Racing Costs
How Much Does a Racing License Cost? (Real Numbers)
The real racing license cost for NASA and SCCA in 2026 — club fees, school tuition, medicals, and the seat time nobody puts on the checklist.
Jett Johnson·August 6, 2026
Getting Started
Track Day Gear Checklist: What You Actually Need
A no-fluff gear and packing checklist for your first HPDE track day. What you must have, what's nice to have, and what you can skip until later.
Jett Johnson·August 3, 2026
Sponsorship
One-Pager vs Full Deck: Which Lands the Sponsor?
Should you send a sponsor a one-pager or a full pitch deck? We ranked both head-to-head with real reply-rate data. The winner isn't the one you'd guess.
Jett Johnson·August 3, 2026
LFR
Behind the Scenes
What to Pack for a Race Weekend: The Complete Checklist
The complete race weekend packing list — every tool, spare, fluid, and gear item you actually need at the track, sorted by what you'll grab first.
Jett Johnson·August 3, 2026
LFR
Getting Started
HPDE Run Groups Explained: Novice to Advanced
HPDE run groups explained simply — what HPDE1 through HPDE4 mean, the passing rules for each, and exactly how you earn your way up the ladder.
Jett Johnson·August 2, 2026
Sponsorship
The 6-Word Subject Line Rule for Sponsor Pitches
Your sponsorship pitch gets opened or deleted before a single word of the body is read. Here's the subject-line rule that decides it, backed by 2026 data.
Jett Johnson·August 2, 2026
LFR
Behind the Scenes
Club Racing vs Pro Racing: The Real Difference
Club racing and pro racing look the same on TV. They're not. Here's the honest breakdown of who pays, who gets paid, and which one you actually start in.
Jett Johnson·August 1, 2026
LFR
Racing Costs
Is Spec Miata Worth It? An Honest Look at the Class
Is Spec Miata worth it? An honest 2026 breakdown of the pros, the real costs, the downsides nobody mentions, and who this class is actually for.
Jett Johnson·August 1, 2026
LFR
Sponsorship
What a Race Team's Sponsorship Is Actually Worth ($)
We ran the real numbers on what an LFR sponsorship is worth in dollars — and the CPM math any racer can use to price their own deal. No guessing.
Jett Johnson·August 1, 2026
LFR
Getting Started
How to Get Your Racing License (SCCA and NASA, Step by Step)
The real steps to earn a competition license with NASA or SCCA in 2026 — schools, physicals, novice permits, and how long it actually takes.
Jett Johnson·July 31, 2026
LFR
Sponsorship
3 Race Weekend Mistakes That Lose Drivers Sponsors
Sponsors don't leave because you finished mid-pack. They leave because of three things you do (or forget to do) at the race track. Here's how to fix them.
Jett Johnson·July 31, 2026
LFR
Sponsorship
What Sponsors Really Do With the Check After They Sign You
Most brands can't even measure their own sponsorships. Here's what happens after the check clears — and why the racer who reports gets renewed.
Jett Johnson·July 31, 2026
Racing Costs
Arrive and Drive vs. Owning a Race Car: The Honest Math
Should you rent or buy your race car? Here's the real 2026 math on arrive and drive vs. owning a Spec Miata, upfront costs, and which one fits you.
Jett Johnson·July 30, 2026
Parents
What Karting Parents Wish They'd Known in Year One
A karting parent guide from people who've been at the track. The real costs, the coaching trap, and the seven things every first-year karting parent gets wrong.
Jett Johnson·July 30, 2026
Sponsorship
What a Sponsor Googles Before They Ever Reply to You
Before a brand answers your racing pitch, they research you. Here's exactly what they look for — and how to make sure the search works in your favor.
Jett Johnson·July 30, 2026
Sponsorship
What a $50K Grant App Taught Us About Pitching Anyone
Winning a $50,000 grant forced us to learn how funders actually decide. The same five moves land sponsors, bosses, and investors — steal them here.
Jett Johnson·July 29, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Build a Driver Profile That Gets You Noticed
A racing driver bio template that gets you noticed by sponsors and teams. What to include, how long it should be, and the lines that get you deleted.
Jett Johnson·July 29, 2026
Getting Started
Getting Started in Road Racing in Colorado: Where to Begin
A beginner's guide to road racing in Colorado — HPR, Pueblo, and PPIR, plus the real HPDE-to-license path and honest costs to get you on track.
Jett Johnson·July 29, 2026
Sponsorship
Every Sponsor 'No' Follows the Same 5 Patterns
A sponsor 'no' isn't random. Rejected racing pitches almost always break the same five ways — here's the pattern, and how to stop landing in it.
Jett Johnson·July 28, 2026
Sim to Real
Sim Racing Tools That Actually Translate to the Track
Which sim racing tools actually make you faster in a real race car? Here's what transfers, what's wasted money, and how to train on a sim like a pro.
Jett Johnson·July 28, 2026
Kart to Car
Spec Miata vs. Formula 4: Which Path for a Young Driver?
Spec Miata vs Formula 4 for a young driver — real 2026 costs, what each teaches, and how to choose the path that fits your goals and budget.
Jett Johnson·July 28, 2026
Kart to Car
The First Five Things to Buy When You Start Racing
New to racing and not sure where your money should go first? Here are the five things to buy in order, with real 2026 prices, so you don't waste a dime.
Jett Johnson·July 27, 2026
Sponsorship
5 Free Sponsorship Templates That Cost You Deals
The free sponsorship templates floating around the internet are quietly killing your response rate. Here are 5 that cost racers deals — and the fix.
Jett Johnson·July 27, 2026
Kart to Car
Karting to Cars: A Complete Guide for Parents (13-16)
Your kid wants to go from karts to real race cars. Here's the honest guide for parents: the right age, the skills that transfer, the costs, and where to start.
Jett Johnson·July 27, 2026
Sponsorship
What a Coffee Shop Teaches You About Sponsorship
Your local coffee shop survives on repeat customers, not new ones. That same idea should run your racing sponsorship strategy. Here's how it works.
Jett Johnson·July 26, 2026
Sponsorship
The One Slide That Makes or Breaks Your Sponsor Deck
Most racing sponsorship decks die on one slide. Here's the make-or-break slide, why it kills deals, and how to build the version that gets a yes.
Jett Johnson·July 26, 2026
Getting Started
What to Expect at Your First HPDE: A Full Walkthrough
A minute-by-minute walkthrough of your first HPDE, from paddock check-in to your last session. What happens, when, and how to not feel lost your first day on track.
Jett Johnson·July 26, 2026
Sponsorship
Best Months to Pitch Racing Sponsors (Ranked S to F)
The month you send your sponsorship pitch matters more than the pitch itself. Here's every month ranked S to F, based on how companies actually plan budgets.
Jett Johnson·July 25, 2026
Parents
How to Convince Your Parents to Let You Race
Want to race but your parents keep saying no? Here's how to answer the safety, money, and school worries — with real numbers, not just begging.
Jett Johnson·July 25, 2026
Racing Costs
How Much Does a Track Day Cost? Real 2026 Numbers
A track day costs more than the registration fee. Here's the honest 2026 breakdown — entry, tires, brakes, fuel, and the hidden costs, with real Colorado numbers.
Jett Johnson·July 25, 2026
Sponsorship
Local Business vs Big Brand: Easier First Sponsor?
Chasing a national brand for your first racing sponsor? A local business is almost always the easier yes. Here's why — and how to land one this week.
Jett Johnson·July 24, 2026
Sponsorship
The Racing Sponsorship Pitch Deck That Actually Works
A slide-by-slide racing sponsorship pitch deck template for the live meeting — what each slide does, what order, and the numbers behind why it works.
Jett Johnson·July 24, 2026
Getting Started
Do You Need Track Day Insurance? Cost and Coverage
What track day insurance covers, what it costs per event, and whether you actually need it for an HPDE. Honest 2026 numbers, no sales pitch.
Jett Johnson·July 24, 2026
Racing Costs
What Arrive-and-Drive Racing Actually Costs in 2026
No car, no trailer, no wrenching. Here's what an arrive-and-drive race weekend really costs in 2026, what's included, and the fees nobody warns you about.
Jett Johnson·July 23, 2026
Behind the Scenes
The Post-Race Debrief That Actually Makes You Faster
Most drivers skip the debrief and lose the biggest free gains of the weekend. Here's the simple post-race debrief we run to get faster, session by session.
Jett Johnson·July 23, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Spec Miata Qualifying Strategy: The Lap You Can't Waste
Spec Miata qualifying is a traffic and tow game. Here's how to warm your tires, find a clear lap, use the draft, and get your grid spot without wasting the session.
Jett Johnson·July 22, 2026
Partners
Why We Said Yes to the Sponsors We Have
A race team's honest look at why we chose the sponsors we chose — and what 'sponsor fit' actually means when you're the one signing the deal.
Jett Johnson·July 22, 2026
Behind the Scenes
How to Read Tire Temps Like a Real Race Engineer
Learn to read race tire temps like an engineer: inner-middle-outer readings, what they say about camber, pressure, and car balance, and how to act on them.
Jett Johnson·July 21, 2026
Sponsorship
Why Saying No to Bad Sponsors Gets You Better Ones
Turning down the wrong racing sponsor isn't leaving money on the table. Here's why rejecting bad sponsors actually lands you better deals down the road.
Jett Johnson·July 21, 2026
Racing Costs
Buying a Used Race Car? Spot the Hidden Problems First
A buyer's checklist for a used race car. Catch a tampered logbook, hidden crash damage, expired belts, and a tired motor before you hand over a check.
Jett Johnson·July 13, 2026
Parents
The Karting-to-Cars Money Cliff Nobody Warns Parents
Your kid's karting season costs one thing. The jump to cars costs another entirely. Here are the real 2026 numbers — and how to stop the cliff from ending the dream.
Jett Johnson·July 13, 2026
Kart to Car
Why a Coach Pays for Themselves in Two Race Weekends
A racing driver coach costs $500 to $1,000 a day. Here's the honest math on why that's cheaper than the mistakes you'll make racing without one.
Jett Johnson·July 13, 2026
Sim to Real
What Sim Racers Get Wrong About Real Car Setup
Sim racing vs real racing setup differences aren't what you think. Here's why the numbers don't transfer, and what actually changes when you go from screen to seat.
Jett Johnson·July 12, 2026
Sponsorship
Tier List: Every Way to Fund Your Racing, Ranked
Sponsors, grants, contingency, crowdfunding, arrive-and-drive — we ranked every way to pay for racing from S-tier to F-tier. Here's what actually works.
Jett Johnson·July 12, 2026
Sponsorship
The Proposal Mistake That Costs Racers a $5,000 Deal
One line in your sponsorship proposal decides whether a brand reads it or deletes it. Here's the mistake quietly costing racers real money — and the fix.
Jett Johnson·July 11, 2026
Kart to Car
Race Team vs. Going Solo: The Honest Pros and Cons
Should you join a race team or run your own program? A real cost-and-effort breakdown to help you pick the path that fits your budget and goals.
Jett Johnson·July 11, 2026
Sponsorship
Why Instagram Matters More Than Lap Times to Sponsors
Sponsors barely look at your race results. Here's why your Instagram following and engagement matter more, and what actually moves a brand to say yes.
Jett Johnson·July 10, 2026
Sponsorship
What 2026's Biggest Grassroots Sponsors Have in Common
We looked at the brands actually backing grassroots racers in 2026. They share 5 traits. Here's the pattern — and the list of who to pitch.
Jett Johnson·July 10, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Negotiate Sponsorship Renewals Like a Pro
Renewing a racing sponsor is easier than landing one — if you start early and prove your value. Here's how to negotiate a renewal the right way.
Jett Johnson·July 9, 2026
Sponsorship
Most Sponsorship Gurus Have Never Landed a Real Deal
A lot of racing sponsorship advice comes from people who've never signed a deal. Here's how to spot the fakes and where to get advice that actually works.
Jett Johnson·July 9, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Write a Sponsorship Follow-Up Email (No Desperation)
A sponsorship follow-up email is where most racers lose the deal. Here's how to follow up so brands reply — without sounding needy or pushy.
Jett Johnson·July 8, 2026
Sponsorship
What Makes a Racing Media Kit Actually Get a Reply
We dug into the data behind sponsorship media kits and cold outreach. Here's the pattern that separates the kits that get a reply from the ones that get deleted.
Jett Johnson·July 8, 2026
Sponsorship
Product vs. Cash Sponsorship: The Truth About "Free"
Product sponsorship isn't the same as cash for racers. Here's what free product deals really cost, what they're worth, and when to chase them.
Jett Johnson·July 7, 2026
Racing Costs
A Spec Miata Season Costs This Much. Here's Who Pays.
Our real 2026 Spec Miata season budget, line by line — then the exact kinds of companies that cover a chunk of it, and how to find them fast.
Jett Johnson·July 7, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Spec Miata Tire Pressures: The Math We Actually Run
How to set Spec Miata tire pressures the right way: cold vs hot targets, the pressure-growth math, and how weather changes what you should run this weekend.
Jett Johnson·July 1, 2026
Sponsorship
5 Sponsorship Mistakes Quietly Killing Your Chances
These 5 sponsorship mistakes get grassroots racers rejected before a brand finishes reading. Here's what's costing you deals — and how to fix each one.
Jett Johnson·July 1, 2026
Racing Costs
The Hidden Costs of Owning a Race Car Nobody Warns You About
The sticker price is the cheap part. Here are the hidden costs of owning a race car — consumables, rebuilds, and fees that sneak up on every new racer.
Jett Johnson·June 30, 2026
Sponsorship
How We Won a $50,000 Grant as a Small Race Team
The whole story of how LeadFoot Racing won a $50,000 grant against real businesses — and the exact pitch lessons you can steal for sponsors.
Jett Johnson·June 30, 2026
Sponsorship
The 3-Email Sequence That Got Us in the Room
The exact 3-email sponsorship sequence we used to get a national brand to reply — and why most racers quit before sending email two.
Jett Johnson·June 29, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Racing Brake Fluid Explained: Why Stock Won't Survive
Stock brake fluid boils on a race track. Here's how high-temp racing brake fluid works, what the numbers mean, and how to bleed it yourself before your weekend.
Jett Johnson·June 29, 2026
Sponsorship
Endemic vs Non-Endemic Sponsors: Who Actually Pays More?
The famous racing sponsors pay you in product, not cash. Here's the honest showdown between endemic and non-endemic sponsors — and who writes real checks.
Jett Johnson·June 28, 2026
Behind the Scenes
How to Use a GoPro to Improve Your Driving
A GoPro is the cheapest coach you'll ever buy. Here's how to mount it, set it up, and actually review the footage to find lap time.
Jett Johnson·June 28, 2026
Behind the Scenes
The Truth About Track Walks: What to Look For
A track walk isn't a stroll. Here's exactly what to look for on foot — grip, curbs, camber, elevation, reference points — so you're faster lap one.
Jett Johnson·June 27, 2026
Sponsorship
Free to $497: Which Sponsorship Help Is Right for You?
We sell sponsorship help from free up to $497. Here's an honest breakdown of which one is actually right for you — so you don't overpay or underbuy.
Jett Johnson·June 27, 2026
Sponsorship
What a Sponsorship Activation Looks Like at the Track
A logo on a car is step one. Here's what a real sponsorship activation looks like at a grassroots race track — and why the cheap ones often win.
Jett Johnson·June 26, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Why Most New Drivers Are Slow in Turn 1 (And How to Fix It)
New drivers lose more time and positions in Turn 1 than anywhere else on track. Here's why it happens and the exact fixes to carry more speed and stay clean.
Jett Johnson·June 26, 2026
Sponsorship
What Do Brands Actually Get From Sponsoring a Race Team?
A logo on a car isn't the deal. Here's what a brand really gets from sponsoring a grassroots race team — and the numbers that decide if it pays off.
Jett Johnson·June 25, 2026
Behind the Scenes
What Is Wheel-to-Wheel Racing? (vs. Track Days)
Wheel-to-wheel racing and track days sound similar but they're not. Here's the real difference, what it takes to race for position, and how to get there.
Jett Johnson·June 25, 2026
Behind the Scenes
What R-Compound Tires Actually Are (And Why They Matter)
R-compound tires confuse a lot of new racers. Here's what they are, how they differ from street tires, and why they make your car feel like a different animal.
Jett Johnson·June 24, 2026
Sponsorship
Why Brands Ghost Racers After the First Email
That sponsor who went silent didn't reject you. Here's the real reason brands ghost racers after the first email — and the follow-up move that gets the reply.
Jett Johnson·June 24, 2026
Behind the Scenes
The HANS Device Explained: Why You Actually Need One
What a HANS device is, how it protects your head and neck, what it costs, and why NASA and SCCA require one before you can race wheel-to-wheel.
Jett Johnson·June 17, 2026
Sponsorship
Is It Worth Sponsoring a Local Racer? Let's Settle It
Should a small business actually sponsor a local racer? Here's the honest ROI case from the sponsor's side of the table — and a free way to make the ask.
Jett Johnson·June 17, 2026
Sponsorship
No, You Don't Need to Be Fast to Get Sponsored
Most racers think podiums unlock sponsorship. They don't. Here's the proof that brands buy your audience and your story, not your lap times — and what to do about it.
Jett Johnson·June 16, 2026
Sim to Real
Trail Braking Explained (Without the Engineering Degree)
Trail braking sounds scary and technical. It isn't. Here's how to blend braking and turning to rotate your car and carry more speed through corners.
Jett Johnson·June 16, 2026
Sponsorship
Sponsorship Pitch Tier List: Instant Delete to Signed
I ranked the most common racing sponsorship pitch tactics S to F. Some get you signed. Most get you deleted. Here's where each one actually lands.
Jett Johnson·June 15, 2026
Racing Costs
What to Look For in a Used Spec Miata: A Buyer's Guide
Buying a used Spec Miata? Here's how to read the logbook, check the engine, spot a hidden wreck, and tell a real deal from a money pit. From a team that runs them.
Jett Johnson·June 15, 2026
Sim to Real
First Track Day Tips: How to Survive It Without Wrecking
Your first track day, broken down step by step. What to bring, how tech inspection works, the passing rules, and how to come home with the car in one piece.
Jett Johnson·June 14, 2026
Sponsorship
9 Racing Sponsorship Emails: Why 7 Got Ignored
I lined up 9 real racing sponsorship emails — mine, ones sent to me, and public examples. Seven got ignored. Here's the exact pattern that killed them.
Jett Johnson·June 14, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Meet Ike: Building a Spec Miata From the Ground Up
A behind-the-scenes look at Ike, our new #19 NA Spec Miata — what really goes into a ground-up grassroots race car build, part by part.
Jett Johnson·June 5, 2026
Sponsorship
We Just Put All Our Sponsorship Help in One Place
We launched a sponsorship hub for grassroots racers — free templates and tools plus paid playbooks. Here's what's in it and where to start.
Jett Johnson·June 5, 2026
Parents
Karting Parents: What a Sponsor Actually Wants From Your Kid
A sponsor doesn't care about your kid's lap times. Here's what a local business actually wants from a karting program before they'll put money on it.
Jett Johnson·June 2, 2026
Sponsorship
27 Companies That Sponsor Grassroots Racers in 2026
Real companies that actually back grassroots and amateur racers in 2026 — named, sourced, and grouped by what they give you. No fluff.
Jett Johnson·June 1, 2026
Sponsorship
The Five Questions Every Sponsor Will Ask You
Walking into a sponsorship pitch meeting? Here are the five questions every sponsor will ask a racer — and exactly how to answer each one with confidence.
Jett Johnson·May 30, 2026
Kart to Car
Are Racing Schools Worth It Before You Buy a Car?
Are racing schools worth it before you buy your first race car? An honest breakdown of cost, what you actually learn, and the cheaper paths that work.
Jett Johnson·May 29, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Price Racing Sponsorship (Without Guessing)
Learn how to price racing sponsorship the right way. A grassroots racer's guide to valuing your assets, building tiers, and naming a number sponsors trust.
Jett Johnson·May 28, 2026
Behind the Scenes
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Started Racing
Honest starting road racing advice I wish someone gave me on day one. Seven things about cost, nerves, and the first season that nobody warns new racers about.
Jett Johnson·May 24, 2026
Kart to Car
Spec7 vs Spec Miata: Which Is the Right First Race Car?
Spec7 vs Spec Miata for your first race car: real costs, parts support, grid sizes, and the honest verdict on which one to buy in 2026.
Jett Johnson·May 22, 2026
LFR
Week in Review
Week in Review: Round 2 at Pueblo
Liam found real speed at Pueblo Round 2, Jett shook down a national-championship-ready car, Tomas captured 300GB of telemetry, and the newest LFR Miata is about to debut.
Jett Johnson·May 22, 2026
Sponsorship
Non-Endemic Sponsors vs Tire Companies: Which to Pitch First
Why non-endemic racing sponsors are easier to land than tire companies for grassroots racers — and the targeting move that gets more yeses.
Jett Johnson·May 21, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Build a Racing Sponsorship Media Kit Brands Read
A racing sponsorship media kit template that actually gets opened. Section-by-section walkthrough — what to include, what to cut, and why most decks get deleted.
Jett Johnson·May 21, 2026
Behind the Scenes
Spec Miata Race Weekend Schedule: An Hour-by-Hour Walkthrough
Curious what a real Spec Miata race weekend actually looks like? Here's the hour-by-hour breakdown from gate open to checkered flag, with no fluff.
Jett Johnson·May 21, 2026
Behind the Scenes
The First 10 Laps at a New Track: How to Get Up to Speed
Learning a new race track without crashing or wasting a weekend. Here's the lap-by-lap approach I use at every unfamiliar circuit, from out-lap to flow.
Jett Johnson·May 17, 2026
LFR
Kart to Car
Kart to Car: Why Most Drivers Wait Too Long to Move Up
Wondering when to move from karting to cars? Most young drivers wait too long and stall their career. Here's the honest readiness checklist and the path that works.
Jett Johnson·May 15, 2026
LFR
Sponsorship
The Three Things Every Sponsorship Email Should Do
Most racing sponsorship emails get deleted in under five seconds. Here are the three things every pitch must do — with real examples — to actually get a reply.
Jett Johnson·May 14, 2026
Sponsorship
How to Find Local Sponsors for Racing (Grassroots Guide)
Looking for local sponsors as a grassroots racer? Here's the targeted, hometown-first approach that actually works — and why cold-emailing Red Bull doesn't.
Jett Johnson·May 11, 2026
LFR
Sim to Real
Sim Racing to Real Racing: The Honest Bridge
Going from sim racing to real racing? Here's what actually transfers, what doesn't, and the cheapest honest path to your first real lap in a race car.
Jett Johnson·May 10, 2026
LFR
Racing Costs
How Much Does It Really Cost to Race Spec Miata for a Season?
An honest 2026 breakdown of Spec Miata racing costs. What owning a car costs per season, what an all-inclusive program runs, and the hidden fees most posts skip.
Jett Johnson·May 9, 2026
LFR
Sponsorship
How to Get Racing Sponsors: The Complete Guide for Grassroots Racers
Everything you need to know about finding, pitching, and landing sponsors for your racing program. No fluff, no theory — just what actually works.
Jett Johnson·April 13, 2026
Behind the Build
We Won $50,000. Here's What That Actually Means.
LeadFoot Racing became the inaugural winner of the Spark the Springs business grant. Here's the story behind the win — and why a race team competed against real businesses in the first place.
Jett Johnson·November 8, 2025