Last-Minute PRI Prep: What Drivers, Teams & Sponsors Need to Do Before the Show Starts
Because let’s be honest - everyone’s still finishing something the night before.
PRI week moves fast.
Between travel, booth setups, meetings, and thousands of people to connect with, it’s easy to feel unprepared. But even if you’re down to the last few days (or hours), you can STILL walk into the show looking polished, confident, and professional.
Here’s your last-minute PRI checklist to make sure you’re ready to show up strong - even if you’ve procrastinated every step until now.
1. Update Your Deck - Even If It’s Not Perfect
Please don’t walk into PRI without some version of a sponsorship or media deck.
Even a simple, clean PDF is better than nothing.
Bare-minimum slides you need:
Who you are
What class you race
Photos of the car/team
Key stats (followers, engagements, race appearances)
Your audience demographics
What you offer sponsors
Contact information
QR code to your social media
Perfect is optional. Prepared is not.
2. Print or Order Something That’s Easy to Hand Out
If your deck isn’t printed, at least bring:
Hero cards
Business cards
QR code cards
Stickers
Small branded giveaways
Make it easy for people to remember you.
TIP: Put your Instagram handle on EVERYTHING.
3. Create a 15-Second Personal Pitch
You will get asked this question 100+ times:
“So what do you race?”
Your pitch should include:
What class you run
Your unique value
Your 2026 goals
What you’re looking for
Example:
“I run [class] and focus heavily on content + fan engagement.
We grew our digital reach by ___% this year and are looking for 2026 partnerships with brands that want measurable exposure.”
Don’t ramble. Don’t undersell. Don’t freeze.
4. Make a List of the Booths You MUST Visit
Walking PRI without a plan = walking in circles.
Your list should include:
Current sponsors
Brands you want to pitch
Vendors you already use
Media outlets
Tech companies you want relationships with
Put booth numbers in your notes app.
Screenshot the floor plan.
5. Prep 5 Social Posts NOW (Schedule or Save Drafts)
You don’t want to be standing in the hallway trying to write captions.
Pre-make:
“Headed to PRI!” post
Day 1 recap
Sponsor shoutout
“Favorite booths we visited today”
A final “Thank you PRI” post
Sponsors LOVE seeing you active this week.
6. Make a Notes Folder Called “PRI Conversations”
After every meeting, jot down:
Who you met
What you talked about
Action items
Next steps
Because trust me…they all blend together by Day 2. This will SAVE your follow-up process afterward.
7. Dress the Part (It Matters More Than You Think)
You don’t need a suit - just look clean and intentional.
Checklist:
Team apparel
Clean shoes
Jacket with logo
Neutral colors if you’re unsure
No wrinkled gear (seriously… just don’t)
Remember: people judge professionalism before they judge talent.
8. Prep Your Phone for Heavy Use
PRI = content chaos.
Do this now:
Clear storage
Charge portable battery
Update apps
Turn on AirDrop
Turn off blurry “Live Photos”
Create an album for PRI pics
You will take probably 400+ photos/videos. Be ready.
9. Get Your Follow-Up Templates Ready
Most of PRI’s value happens AFTER the show.
Prep 2 messages:
Thank-you follow-up
Next-step request
Example:
“Great meeting you at PRI! I’d love to continue our conversation about 2026 partnerships. Here’s my deck and availability next week.”
Send follow-ups within 48 hours.
10. Relax - Everyone Is Scrambling Too
PRI isn’t about perfection.
It’s about being present, professional, and approachable.
If your deck isn’t perfect…
If you don’t have the “right” outfit…
If your hero cards arrive late…
It’s okay.
Show up.
Talk to people.
Shake hands.
Be excited.
Take photos.
Follow up fast.
This event is about connection, not perfection.
THE BOTTOM LINE
PRI is the biggest business weekend in motorsports - and last-minute prep still counts.
If you walk in with:
+ a deck
+ a pitch
+ a plan
+ a smile
+ and the willingness to follow up
…you’ll walk out with opportunities.
If you want a last-minute deck refresh, a PRI social media plan, or a sponsor pitch script, JW Brands can turn it around fast.
