WJ is obviously in a different class of racer than me for sure and many others here. His business was racing it?s how he made his money. I have know idea what his retirement is but he did not have a 8-4 job. He received $$$ for using products in his business because it was good for the manufacturers and won money and championships by winning. There were no -free- engines coming out of his shop for sure.
LSR is not a good venue for this.
I?ve received ?good? deals on products and ran very few decals. None in the last 40 years.
Yes at the top (read streamliners), I am sure there are offers because the supplier can show in their periodicals who use their products. That?s great. I read and see many in lower classes with sponsors decals. I read about them and usually its because they are in a fabrication or engine business that spend a lot of $$$ over the years with them and the manufacturers now -help them out- in their LSR endeavors. More power to them.
My free sponsorship came my company?s nut and bolt bins I could get it in my lunch pail.
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Most of our best and fastest guys do it for the love of it or feel they can complete at a level they are happy with including their pocketbooks. I ran only when the overtime was good and bought better parts when my children left to be on their own.
Funny but 2 things come up when you talk about either the salt or racing on dirt. If someone finds out you race on the salt it?s only what does your streamliner look like and in dirt, do you run a winged sprinter or open sprinter. It isall the average guy knows.