How much do NASCAR drivers make per race?
NASCAR is an all-American sport beloved throughout the nation. Its 78-80 million fan base is deeply into the NASCAR races, which are especially popular in the south of the US. Many fans also live in the north and across Canada. Around 90% of the NASCAR viewership is on the American continent, with less than 10% of fans coming from other countries.
In the US, NASCAR is a national treasure. There are so many people deeply invested in this sport, and follow every race, every driver, and enjoy the rivalry between the teams. NASCAR is a sport in which many different teams use almost the same vehicles to show who’s more capable and who is the fastest driver.
In this blog post, we will discuss NASCAR drivers and who is the greatest among them. Unlike other racing sports, in NASCAR, drivers can show their true skills because the vehicle does not play a significant role in winning. It is mostly about the team and mostly the driver. So, which driver is the best, which ones are the best paid, and how much do they make per race? Let’s start with the essentials and learn all about it.
What do NASCAR drivers do?
A NASCAR driver will drive the vehicle in a round-shaped track and try to be the fastest and most skilled one that cross the finish line first. To do that, they must be extremely skilled, but also have a bit of luck, too. Continuous NASCAR driver winnings determine who’s the best.
Some notable names now are Kyle Larson, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, and others. All these drivers are amazing at the tracks and have a great chance of winning the races, but the season means continuous great driving and winning.
After a great season, a driver will receive a better offer from the team and become a better-paid driver. Of course, like in any major sport, contracts oblige drivers to drive several seasons, after which agreements are renegotiated. Right now, some drivers are better paid than others, so what drivers are best paid?
Who is the highest-paid NASCAR driver?
The NASCAR driver’s salary is determined by how successful they are on the track, but sometimes, other factors play a role, too. Right now, one of the best drivers is the popular Kyle Busch. As of 2025, he makes a whooping $16.9 million per season, which makes him the highest-paid NASCAR driver at the moment.
Other drivers are close, but not on top. The top drivers also make millions, but not as much as Kyle Busch. So, how much do NASCAR drivers make? The second highest paid driver is Denny Hamlin, who makes $13,1 million annually, Martin Truex Jr with $10,4 million, and Brad Keselowski with $9,4 million. However, none of these drivers are even close to the richest NASCAR driver in history.
Who is the richest NASCAR driver?
The richest NASCAR driver is the legendary Jeff Gordon, who retired in 2017. He made a staggering $515 million, which is not only the most among all NASCAR drivers, but an impressive amount for any athlete in the world.
How are drivers ranking in 2025?
The 2025 season is in full swing right now, and the top driver is the popular Kyle Larson. Right after his name, there are the top contenders – Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney. They are all great drivers, but Kyle Larson seems to be in great shape and will take the title this year. He’s also among the best-paid NASCAR drivers this season, and eventually, he’ll raise the bar even higher in years to come.
What is Kyle Larson’s salary?
Right now, Kyle Larson’s salary is set between $12 and $15 million annually. The amount depends on several factors. If he continues to drive as he is right now, he can expect much better terms when he needs to sign a new contract with his Hendrick Motorsports team, and the sponsors that endorse him, such as Valvoline, Chevrolet, and others.
How much do NASCAR drivers make per race?
To determine how much do NASCAR drivers make per race, we must address the right driver tier. Top-tier drivers make between $300k and $500k, but a race like the Daytona 500 may earn as much as $3 million for the winners.
Mid-tier drivers will earn between $50k and $150k, low-end tier drivers will earn between $10k to $50k, while drivers who are developmental and rarely get any points will get the base minimum or might even fund themselves just to compete and prove their worth.
With these facts, you now know what the NASCAR driver earnings are, who the best-paid ones are, and how big the gap is between the best ones and those trying to push their way into the competition. It is an exciting sport that always thrills its fans.