The Racer on Demand Show

In this episode, Amanda and Megan welcome Erica Sietsma, founder and CEO of AutoFluencer, to expose how social media algorithms really work and why traditional influencer tactics fail in motorsports. Erica breaks down why many mainstream platforms focus on predictive metrics for churn-and-burn creator deals, whereas motorsports sponsorship relies on long-term relationship building, authentic brand...

For most racers, the moment the final checkered flag drops, the hauler gets parked, the car is stripped down to the bare chassis, and their marketing program goes completely dark until spring. But in modern motorsports, next season’s funding, renewals, and audience growth are actually won or lost between November and February. In this episode, Amanda and Megan break down the essential off-season p...

In this special one-year anniversary episode, Amanda and Megan bring on their husbands, Chris Van Den Elzen and Adam Lingner, for an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to run their racing programs. From surviving a 34-hour cross-country RV haul to Glen Helen for the Champ Off-Road series finale to navigating sponsor connections and challenges, the group breaks down the real...

Amanda and Megan break down a recent marketing study revealing a major shift in the creator economy: mainstream brands are finally abandoning one-off influencer deals in favor of long-term, relationship-centric partnerships. For motorsports athletes, this isn't news—it's what racing sponsorship has been built on all along. Between breaking down the recent news of Marty Fiolka’s departure from Cran...

Amanda and Megan sit down with Haily Unferdorfer from Racer (Senior Marketing Manager for Racer) to pull back the curtain on how major media outlets, race series, and grassroots teams build high-value partnerships. The trio explores how GridLife is revolutionizing fan acquisition by combining music festivals with motorsports, the step-by-step formula for creating year-end Proof of Performance (POP...

Amanda and Megan pivot from the racetrack to tackle the single most important psychological question in motorsports marketing: "What's In It For Me?" (WIIFM). Between sharing some massive late-season news about a new partnership with AMSOIL and navigating the real-world trials of a season disrupted by series cancellations and mechanical failures, the duo delivers a deep-dive guide on shifting your...

Amanda and Megan sit down with a true titan of the off-road industry, Marty Fiolka. Marty is the author of 1,000 Miles to Glory , producer of the iconic documentary Dust to Glory , and the Promoter and Marketing Director for Crandon International Off-Road Raceway—the legendary "Big House." But this isn't just a behind-the-scenes look at the biggest festival in short-course off-road racing; it is a...

"I think that there are a lot of things that racers believe strongly without necessarily having a basis for that truth." In this high-stakes episode, Amanda and Megan transition from celebrating a clean sweep at ERX to navigating the fallout of the IHRA’s sudden season cancellation. After discussing the "limbo mode" Megan faces in her drag racing career and the importance of keeping racing sustain...

In this landmark 20th episode, Amanda and Megan welcome the man often called the "GOAT" of sponsorship, Alex Striler, author of "Motorsports Marketing and Sponsorships." Alex has been a pivotal mentor for both hosts, and in this conversation, he pulls back the curtain on how the sponsorship landscape has shifted over the last decade—and how racers can use cutting-edge tools to stay ahead. Alex rev...

"Networking is not always about just like buying something from somebody... oftentimes it's about connecting with them as a human." In this episode, Amanda and Megan catch up after a whirlwind month of racing—from Megan's first drag race of the year and her sister's massive IHRA win to Chris's Sunday victory at Crandon. They pull back the curtain on the "Retire" viral video, explaining how strong...

In this episode, Amanda and Megan sit down with Jacklyn (Jackie) Donahue, Group Marketing Manager for Aftermarket at Niterra North America (parent company of NGK Spark Plugs). With years of experience managing a massive roster of athletes—from drag racers to fishermen—Jackie provides a rare look into how a global brand evaluates its partnerships in a post-COVID world. We dive into the hard decisio...

Amanda and Megan dive deep into a chaotic month of racing that spanned from Wheatland to Antigo. From chasing mysterious mechanical gremlins across three states to "mad scientist" oil testing on a kitchen grill, the duo explores the high-pressure reality of performing (or failing) in front of key partners. They also break down the strategic shift in motorsports toward fan-centric experiences and w...

"Truthfully, if you go out there and keep giving your NPC line, you're automatically just part of the background." In this episode, we recorded live from Lucas Oil Speedway at the Champ Off-Road Race with the crew from Impulse Media—Lyle, Jeffrey, and Tito. They’ve spent years building a media powerhouse by focusing on the one thing most racers ignore: storytelling. We dive into the "18-hour-day"...

How do you move from being a "sticker on a car" to a true sales asset for a global brand? In this episode, Amanda and Megan sit down with Theresa Kapper, Director of Marketing for Nexen Tire America. With over 20 years of experience in the tire industry, Theresa explains how she bridges the gap between marketing and sales by leveraging motorsports athletes as strategic partners. Theresa shares why...

Are you tired of posting into a void and feeling invisible to the sponsors you want to attract? In this episode, Amanda and Megan pull back the curtain on why most racers are failing on social media and how to fix it. Amanda shares the exact strategy that helped her gain 1,700 followers in just 55 days—and it isn't about chasing viral trends. It’s about a fundamental shift in how you view your rac...

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 ext...

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 waitin...

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...

In this episode, Amanda Van Den Elzen and Megan Meyer dive deep into the essential "Know, Like, and Trust" factor and how it dictates everything from fan engagement to long-term sponsorship success. Moving beyond just podium finishes, they discuss how authenticity and influence are the real currencies in modern motorsports marketing. WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: -- BEYOND THE PODIUM: Why sponsor...

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: --...

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 g...

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...

It’s the most overused word in racing, and in this episode, Amanda and Megan explain why it might actually be holding your program back. In this candid post-holiday conversation, the hosts ease in with real life (family Christmases, getting sick at the worst possible time), then shift gears into a deeper discussion every racer needs to hear: why brand awareness and logo placement alone aren’t enou...

What does a brand really look for in a motorsports partnership? In this episode of The Racer On Demand Show, Megan and Amanda sit down with their very first guest, Dave, Marketing & Brand Activation Manager at B’laster Holdings, for a candid conversation about what actually matters on the sponsor side of the table. With a career that spans aftermarket performance parts, tires, and motorsports...

Who are you when you strip away the helmet, the car wrap, and the team colors? In this essential episode of The Racer On Demand Show , hosts Amanda Van Den Elzen and Megan Meyer reveal how to build a powerful motorsports brand based on your core identity, not just logos. Learn personal insights and actionable strategies for navigating brand identity, securing sponsors, and building a loyal fanbase...