How should athletes balance honesty and persistence when seeking sponsorships?

Joe Parsons advises athletes to be as honest as possible, even when they see dishonest competitors appearing to succeed. He acknowledges that in racing, 'you can come across some people who are not very honest' who might be 'making a bunch of money right now.' But he firmly states: 'At the end, the honest guy wins.' Combined with this, athletes need persistence - referencing Robbie Gordon's approach of banging on 10 doors knowing one will open. Athletes should also be realistic in their requests and never burn bridges, as the motorsport industry is small and relationships matter long-term.