In this episode of Speed This Week, the Crew Chief and driver Trey Rice dig into one of the most uncomfortable—but necessary—conversations in modern NASCAR: how sponsorship, social media value, and image influence who gets opportunities behind the wheel. The discussion centers on Toni Breidinger’s eight-race Truck Series deal, breaking down whether today’s racing landscape prioritizes performance, funding, visibility, or some combination of all three. The guys keep it honest as they unpack how sponsorship dollars, influencer reach, and competitive results really shape driver careers at every level of the sport.
The episode also looks ahead to Daytona and the NASCAR season opener, including why the Duel races matter more than ever, which drivers are fighting for open spots, and how teams balance risk versus survival before the green flag even drops. From Truck Series depth to Cup Series pressure, plus a detour into NIL chaos in college sports and why checks and balances are long overdue, this episode blends racing insight with blunt reality. If you want a real look at where NASCAR—and sports as a whole—is headed, this is one you don’t want to miss.