You have to learn how to kiss a whole bunch of ass. Sometimes it isn't the tastiest, but it has to be done. That is meant in the most endearing manner possible.
Yes, he is the son of Ray. He works full time at courting sponsors and making deals that allow him to drive in several classes. He has talent and the ability to get others with money to understand that talent (a talent in and of itself) and pay him to run their products. It is almost always an exclusive deal in that if someone like Bilstein sponsors him for shocks and coil overs, he is not allowed to drive another vehicle in public that has another brand on it.
They effectively own him for the duration of the contract.