NASCAR’s financial situation is constantly changing, from the governing body searching for a new title sponsor to teams struggling to hold onto big-name partners.
That also includes drivers’ fluctuating salaries, which are seldom talked about when drivers sign a new deal or extension. Additionally, NASCAR stopped releasing race winnings after the 2015 season, so it’s hard to know exactly how much drivers are making each year.
Drivers aren’t getting paid like they used to, and Jimmie Johnson is the last remaining driver making at least $10 million in base salary, Forbes reported in its list of NASCAR’s highest-paid drivers. More from Forbes:
The 10 top-earning drivers made $116 million combined last year from salaries, endorsements and their share of race winnings and licensing revenue. The total is off 36% from a decade ago (46% adjusted for inflation). In addition to lower salaries, the downturn in licensing earnings and endorsements for the new crop of drivers has been steep.
In Johnson’s 18th full-time season, the seven-time champ has a resume like no one else’s, so it’s not surprising he’s at (or even near) the top of the list, despite not winning a race in 2018. His best finish so far in 2019 was fourth at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, and he’s under contract with Hendrick Motorsports through the 2020 season.
For the second time in three seasons, he was the highest-paid driver, and he made a total of $17.5 million, which includes his base salary, winnings and endorsements. He was also the highest-paid driver in 2016 and second-highest in 2017 with $19.2 million, behind Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Newcomers to the NASCAR Cup Series generally have six-figure salaries and only a few are reportedly making more than $4 million off their base salary. Here’s a look at the 10 highest paid NASCAR drivers, per Forbes:
1. Jimmie Johnson
Total earnings: $17.5 million
Salary and winnings: $14 million
Endorsements and licensing: $3.5 million
2. Kyle Busch
Total earnings: $15.8 million
Salary and winnings: 13.8 million
Endorsements and licensing: $2 million
3. Denny Hamlin
Total earnings: $14.2 million
Salary and winnings: 12.7 million
Endorsements and licensing: $1.5 million
4. Kevin Harvick
Total earnings: $13.1 million
Salary and winnings: $11.6 million
Endorsements and licensing: $1.5 million
5. Joey Logano
Total earnings: $11 million
Salary and winnings: $9.6 million
Endorsements and licensing: $1.4 million
6. Brad Keselowski
Total earnings: $10.4 million
Salary and winnings: $9.2 million
Endorsements and licensing: $1.2 million
7. Chase Elliott
Total earnings: $9.5 million
Salary and winnings: $7.5 million
Endorsements and licensing: $2 million
8. Kyle Larson
Total earnings: $9 million
Salary and winnings: $8 million
Endorsements and licensing: $1 million
9. Martin Truex Jr.
Total earnings: $8.2 million
Salary and winnings: $7.3 million
Endorsements and licensing: $900,000
10. Clint Bowyer
Total earnings: $7.3 million
Salary and winnings: $6.6 million
Endorsements and licensing: $700,000
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