What is the most important mindset shift racers need to make when approaching sponsors?

Instead of thinking 'I need sponsorships so I can continue to race,' racers should think 'what can I do to help this company achieve their goals?' It's similar to a job interview - you can't just ask to be paid, you need to demonstrate what you can contribute. As a racer, you're a brand and an ambassador for any company that sponsors you, so you need to show how you align with their target audience and can help them reach their objectives.