JGR insider clarifies whether sponsor money stays with one car or supports all four

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) recently shared that its sponsorship money for the NASCAR Cup Series drivers gets pooled together rather than split into its four teams.

Sponsors in NASCAR spend money to get their brand seen by millions of fans at races and on TV. The main sponsor gets to place its name on the hood of the car and also gets a say in the car's design. While associate sponsors place logos on the fenders and windows.

JGR social media strategist Reece Kennedy shared the team's sponsorship approach in a recent video.

"At Joe Gibbs Racing, we're four cars, one team, so all the money goes into our overall operating budget. Expenses and everything are divided up evenly among all the teams, regardless of how much a sponsor pays or a particular driver makes. It all goes into one bucket, and we do everything as a team, so nothing is segmented per team as far as finances go," Kennedy explained.

NASCAR teams use big trucks to transport cars, pit crews, and equipment to races, and use the sponsorship money for fuel costs. Drivers usually travel by plane or bus and sponsors help cover those costs too.

While drivers make money from their salary, race winnings, and endorsements, top ones can also earn millions from sponsorships and royalties.

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Second big sponsor after Mars left JGR after the 2024 season

JGR will field four full-time teams in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series with Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Ty Gibbs. The team's main sponsors for the next season are Monster Energy, Interstate Batteries and Bass Pro Shops.

Last month, FedEx ended its long-term sponsorship for Denny Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota at JGR this year. Hamlin had been sponsored by the multinational business services company since his Cup debut in 2005. Mars, which owns M&M's, also left JGR after the 2022 season, which caused Kyle Busch to leave the team.

"What a ride it's been! Denny and the entire Joe Gibbs team, it’s been an incredible 20 years of racing with the best. #TeamFedEx will always be cheering you on," FedEx tweeted.

NASCAR teams depend on sponsorship for 60-80 percent of their income. In the past, a full-season sponsorship cost $25-$30 million but now teams make around $10-$20 million yearly in sponsor revenue (according to Sports Business Journal).

23XI Racing, co-owned by Hamlin, has big sponsors like Columbia Sportswear, Dr Pepper, and McDonald's. Whereas, Trackhouse Racing focuses on brands like Coca-Cola, Jockey, Freeway Insurance, and Busch Beer.

Other teams in NASCAR, like Hendrick Motorsports, JTG and Team Penske, are sponsored by one company and work with vendors to share advertising opportunities.