The world of NASCAR racing has undergone a drastic shift over the years. As the sport evolved along with the rest of the world, becoming a lot more accommodating to the needs of its players, many aspiring drivers, like Jeb Burton, are now feeling the sting of a changing landscape. Being two drivers from considerably different eras of racing, Jeb and his uncle Ward Burton dive deep into the conversation of how sponsorships have transformed the whole idea of a sport on their podcast.

In this cutthroat environment, a driver’s racing career can be made or broken by their financial backing, just like Jeb’s. He speaks out on his own struggles that highlight the stark contrast between the past and present, painting a picture of a sport where dreams can be dashed in an instant due to the whims of funding.

The make-or-break factor for NASCAR drivers

Having grown up in a family that had deep roots in NASCAR, Jeb Burton followed in his father’s footsteps and started racing in local tracks like the South Boston Speedway in Virginia. During his early days, he won several races and even won the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award. Which gave him the hope that one day he too would be taking the racing world by storm like his family did before him.

He debuted in the Cup Series in 2015 under BK Racing and while he didn’t accomplish great results, his experience on the tracks itself was rewarding to the budding driver. Over time, he competed in other series, including the Xfinity Series, where he finally found a stable ride with Kaulig Racing. He went on to win at the Richmond Raceway and scored his first career victory at Talladega! But the good times didn’t last very long for the young Burton as he lost his rife due to changes made in sponsorship that following year.

Jeb Burton shared that his racing journey might have turned out differently if not for the harsh reality of sponsorship in NASCAR. Sounding bitter as he claimed that while it may just be a small setback for some drivers, for him it was the cause of his early retirement from racing, “If you run out of sponsorship, you’re done.” His uncle, however, echoed his sentiment and recalled the time when he raced without the heavy reliance on sponsorships that so many drivers face today. He emphasized that the business model of NASCAR has flipped entirely, transforming it into a world where only those with deep pockets can thrive.

It’s a tough reality that, unfortunately, many NASCAR drivers like Jeb Burton have to face. The racing scene today is heavily dependent on ensuring they have the right sponsorships to fund your career and without that financial backing, even the most talented drivers can find themselves sidelined, often struggling to make it to the top levels of the sport.

How does sponsorship impact aspiring drivers

Trending

Michael Jordan & Co’s Rebellion Left Hanging as ‘Silent’ NASCAR Worsens Bubba Wallace’s Career Fears

“Wasn’t Any of Our Fault”- Ross Chastain Distances Himself From Cup Star’s Watkins Glen Shame Leaving Martin Truex Jr Livid

Joey Logano Belittles Watkins Glen as NASCAR’s Favor to the Drivers Gets Overlooked by the Penske Man

Juan Pablo Montoya Drops 3-Word Verdict on NASCAR Return Amid Next-Gen Fears

Dejected Michael Jordan Star Calls Out NASCAR’s Mexican Speedster After Awry Glen Outing

In the past, drivers who managed to secure solid sponsorship deals or had the right connections are known to have had a bigger advantage over their peers and often led successful careers in NASCAR for many years, like Hermie Sadler. However, the norm today creates an obstacle for many aspiring drivers, making it difficult for them to break into the sport, despite being brilliant on the tracks.

Teams today depend on their sponsors and are more likely to sign drivers based on who’s behind them. Even a notable team like Stewart-Haas Racing has been hit hard by the departure of their key sponsors, which really shook things up for their drivers and ultimately impacted their chances on the track. The situation at Spire Motorsports has been similar. While being a great team, their future hangs in the balance as sponsors reassess their commitments to the sport.

Sure, sponsorships and connections do make it a lot easier for the teams and their players in an already competitive sport like NASCAR, but should it be the only thing that stops them from racing on the tracks? Certainly not. As the former drivers who have experienced the sport’s evolution firsthand share their valuable insights that could help shape the game more effectively, maybe there’s hope that fans will see a change in dynamics in the years to come.