Costs of racing

[JointTech]

I've been thinking about this for awhile. Maybe you guys have some insight.
I was at the trophy truck races in lake elsinore this weekend. All kinds of classes of trucks and buggys.
at a min they have one truck and trailor and some spare parts.

the bigger guys have huge transfer truck type deals, multiple spare motors, tires, gas etc.

plus they all start racing/traveling on thursday so are skipping a day of work.

Im not talking about the big guys with full sponsorship.
Im talking the one or 2 steps down from that.

If they even get on TV its "on the Edge" or some show like that. not a full hour of racing like the big boys. You barely ever see buggys on TV.

Im using trophy now but the same applies for all racing.
You go to a sub-sprint/nationwide event and those guys are spending tons of cash and I just dont see how they do it.

are racers all just rich? is it just a hobby.
I see they have sponsorships of some kind on most. But seems like maybe General tire gives them one set of tires or something. not a full ride and salary.
how much can billybobs plumbing that gets the prime ad realestate be giving them?
I mean if its not on TV and theres maybe 1000/2000 people at a race where is the payoff for the sponsor?

I just dont get it. I'd love to do some type of racing but cant see any way unless its those races where your car has to be worth less than 1000. lol