Jeff's a nice guy--knew him briefly from his Trans-Am days in the late '90s. But I don't believe this is a hired ride anymore than his Trans-Am seats were (which is to say he's paying to drive).
I have nothing against pay-to-drive, other than I can't afford to do it.

It's just how it works in all levels of racing except for the extremely talented few who also happen to be in the right place at the right time.
When PR fluff comes out proclaiming XYZ to be the new hotshoe at ABC team, I go

(since these are exactly the releases I used to write).