How Much Do NASCAR Drivers Make?

NASCAR drivers often have to go through an exhaustive process to compete, including going to racing school, acquiring a license, and having an expert understanding of cars. With all of the training and pressure that comes along with racing, many would assume that NASCAR drivers would make a lot of money within their profession. However, there is always a divide between the best of the best and the average player within a sport, so let’s take a look and find out what NASCAR drivers actually make.

How Much Do New Drivers Make?

Rookie NASCAR drivers usually make significantly less money than more established drivers. Typically, a new developmental driver will be paid around $50,000 as a salary from their team. Although this is quite low for a professional athlete, as well as compared to higher-paid drivers, even new and inexperienced drivers have the chance to make more money than that from sources outside of their teams. Drivers who participate in races and get endorsements can earn tens of thousands of dollars from winning races, and can earn anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million from taking endorsements and sponsorships, even if they’re inexperienced.

What Does The Average Driver Make?

Once a driver gets more experience, they will get paid a much higher salary. According to many reports, the average NASCAR driver in the United States makes $112,038 a year as a salary from the team they compete for.

Additionally, NASCAR has three national series in the United States: the NASCAR Cup Series, the Xfinity Series, and the Camping World Truck Series. Drivers in the Xfinity and Truck series don’t get as much money as drivers in the Cup series, but on average, they can earn anywhere between $100,000 to $300,000 per season based on how long they have been competing as well as how marketable they are. Additionally, drivers in the Truck series have opportunities to earn other special bonuses, such as a $50,000 “road crew bonus” that is awarded to the team that is leading in points in the Kansas Speedway.

What Do The Top NASCAR Drivers Make?

The highest-earning NASCAR driver is Kyle Busch, who earns an annual salary of $17.8 million. He is one of the most successful NASCAR drivers in the United States, having over 200 victories throughout his career, with over a quarter of them being NASCAR Cup victories, at just 37 years old.

Other top NASCAR drivers, such as Kevin Harvick and Martin Treux Jr., make around $10 million annually, a figure shared by many of the most famous racers.

How Do NASCAR Drivers Make Money?

NASCAR drivers typically earn money in three different ways: a salary from the team they are a part of, prize money from tournaments, and endorsements. Salaries from NASCAR teams vary based on experience and skill, with new drivers earning an average of $50,000, and the top earners can be paid up to $10 million as a salary from their team.

The league’s most prominent race, the Daytona 500, has a prize pool of $26.9 million to pay the teams and drivers. Even taking into account the fact that teams need to pay their employees, car owners, and sponsors, the driver’s take-home pay for a race can be in the tens of thousands. The winner of the Daytona 500 takes home over $1.5 million in prize money. On average, winners can take home $47,500 a race, while drivers who lose the race can still take home around $8,500 on average. 

Endorsements and sponsorships largely depend on the marketability and image of the individual driver, but they are often a major source of revenue for drivers. Some drivers can make up to $1 million in just endorsements every year. Top drivers such as Chase Elliot can make up to $2.2 million from sponsorships on top of their salary from their team.

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