NASCAR is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by $7.7 billion in media rights deals and rising viewership.
This surge is reflected in the earnings of the sport’s top drivers, with the highest-paid drivers raking in millions annually.
Kyle Busch, the highest-paid driver of 2024, earns $16.9 million driving for Richard Childress Racing.
This averages out to $444,736 per race, and on tracks like the Daytona 500, Busch makes $2,223 per lap. A two-time Cup Series champion, Busch outpaces the second-highest earner, Denny Hamlin, who makes $13.1 million with Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin is currently third in the Cup Series standings.
Kevin Harvick, who recently announced his retirement, earned $10.9 million last year while driving for Stewart-Haas Racing.
He ranks third on the list despite an average finish of 14.5. Brad Keselowski of RFK Racing takes fourth, with earnings of $9.4 million.
Keselowski has six wins at Talladega Superspeedway. Rounding out the top five is Joey Logano, who makes $9 million with Team Penske, having won the Cup Series twice in 2018 and 2022.
Of the top 25 highest-paid drivers, eight are over the age of 35, and four of the top five are over 40.
The youngest driver in the top 10 is 29-year-old Chase Elliott, earning $8 million with Hendrick Motorsports. The growth of NASCAR continues to reward its star drivers handsomely.
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