Aug. 18, 2025

Portland Fireworks, Sponsorship Secrets & IndyCar’s Past with Maria Perez & John Oreovicz

Portland Fireworks, Sponsorship Secrets & IndyCar’s Past with Maria Perez & John Oreovicz

The Pits Are Open returns with a jam-packed episode that blends on-track drama, behind-the-scenes sponsorship strategy, and a deep dive into IndyCar’s most turbulent era.

Fresh off the Portland race weekend, we break down Alex Palou’s championship drive, the fallout from Connor Daly vs. Christian Rasmussen’s aggressive clash, and what the future holds for Will Power as Penske faces tough questions.

Then, we shift gears into the business of racing with sponsorship expert Maria Perez, who shares how she went from funding Sesame Street to shaping IndyCar sponsorships for over a decade. She introduces her new project, The Sponsorship Lounge, designed to help teams, nonprofits, and drivers cut through the confusion and actually win sponsor dollars. Expect insider tips on ROI, fan engagement, activation, and why hokey ideas sometimes sell best.

Finally, motorsports author John Oreovicz joins to discuss his acclaimed book The Split, the devastating CART vs. IRL feud that fractured open-wheel racing from 1996–2008. He also previews his upcoming work, reflecting on how that history still shapes today’s IndyCar and why Roger Penske’s purchase of IMS may be the crowning achievement of his career.

Whether you’re here for the racing, the business, or the history — this episode has something for every motorsports fan.



  • 00:01:00 – Portland recap: Palou crowned, Penske woes, and the Daly vs. Rasmussen dust-up

  • 00:05:49 – Guest intro: Maria Perez of The Sponsorship Lounge

  • 00:06:30 – From Sesame Street to IndyCar: Maria’s unique sponsorship journey

  • 00:10:11 – Why most sponsorship seekers fail & how to stand out

  • 00:17:00 – ROI, Genius Bars & valuation calculators explained

  • 00:20:26 – Coaching young drivers Alana Carter & Eric Kunz

  • 00:26:00 – How AI tools like ChatGPT & Perplexity are transforming sponsorship outreach

  • 00:30:11 – Guest intro: Author John Oreovicz

  • 00:32:57 – First Indy 500 memories & love for racing

  • 00:35:00 – The Split: how the CART vs. IRL feud reshaped IndyCar

  • 00:38:17 – Roger Penske’s acquisition of IMS and its long-term impact





    • Maria Perez – Sponsorship strategist & founder of The Sponsorship Lounge

    • John Oreovicz – Author of The Split; motorsports journalist & historian